KEY POINTS:
Ponsonby and Waitemata will contest the final of the Gallaher Shield for the second year in a row. Ponsonby will be looking to win their fifth championship in succession, while Waitemata will be hoping to avenge last year's loss.
Ponsonby dominated their semifinal against Marist, winning 27-12. Their
first-half performance was outstanding, with three breathtaking tries. The first was scored by winger Tom Wiley after good work by centre Sam Lawrence.
The second try highlighted the skill that runs throughout the Ponsonby squad. Fullback Chay Raui fielded the ball on halfway. He passed to hooker and captain Mark Hooper and then doubled round. Once the ball was in his hands again, he chipped ahead and won the race for the ball.
Marist first-five John Mills kept his side in the game with three penalties but the halftime score of 19-9 proved too much for Marist to overhaul. They played better in the second half, with wing Thomas Timani dangerous, but veteran Ponsonby prop Tim Henwood finished the scoring with a fine try.
Grammar Carlton were making no excuses after their 17-10 loss to Waitemata. Although they led 10-0 at halftime, they let the Westies dominate the second spell. Coach Hugh McGahan did not start playmaker Mana Ashford but once he came on in the second half, he sparked his team into action.
In extra time, prop Rodney Elliot scored the deciding try.
The final will be played next Saturday at 2.45pm at Eden Park.
North Harbour
Takapuna and North Shore will clash in next weekend's North Harbour premier final after each side had hard-fought semifinal wins in difficult conditions yesterday.
Takapuna overcame a slow start, a long list of injuries and having their loose forward Charlie Waide in the sin-bin for a crucial period in the second spell to beat Silverdale 17-6, while Shore held off a fast-finishing Helensville to win 34-21.
Silverdale looked the better side early on and two James O'Brien penalties put them 6-0 ahead.
But Takapuna, just before halftime, snatched the lead with a drop goal by Jon Elrick and a try to left wing Rupeni Seduadua.
Waide's sin-binning early in the second spell looked as if it could turn the game, as Silverdale mounted sustained pressure, only to be denied by some staunch Takapuna defence.
Restored to a full side, Takapuna again had the better of the final 10 minutes, with Elrick's powerful boot sealing the win.
Shore jumped away to a 29-0 halftime lead over Helensville, with young Ben Botica dominating the game with his boot, which brought him 19 points.
Helensville played well in the second spell, with three converted tries, but the Shore lead was too big.
Marist and Massey will meet in next weekend's plate final after wins over East Coast Bays and Glenfield respectively, while Northcote won the bowl final 5-3.
