Ponies Gallaher Shield win no easy ride

Ponsonby's captain Gavin Williams holds the Gallaher Shield. Picture / Fotopress

Club Rugby Final
Ponsonby 19 Waitakere City 17

Waitakere City came within a goalpost's width of winning the Gallaher Shield for the first time.

With Ponsonby ahead 19-17 and just two minutes left on the clock, Waitakere replacement prop Filipo Sauni lined up a left-footed drop goal attempt from 25 metres and almost in front of the posts.

The ball soared high to the Ponsonby posts and looked headed for the three pointer which would have clinched the match, only to hit the left-hand upright and bounce back into play.

Waitakere, who until yesterday had previously only made it through to the shield semifinals, had one final chance of snatching victory from the defending champions when captain Ofisa 'Junior' Tonu'u attempted a last-second drop goal.

But this time the kick was well off the mark.

Ponsonby had survived by two points in a thrilling final played at Eden Park in front of an estimated crowd of 5000.

Although beaten, Waitakere had the satisfaction of scoring two tries to Ponsonby's one and finishing the match stronger than their opponents.

Ponsonby led 12-10 at halftime on the back of three penalties and a dropped goal from first five-eighths Brett Williams.

Former All Black centre Eroni Clarke, who will be playing for Counties in this season's NPC competition, showed much of his old skill beating several Ponsonby defenders to score Waitakere's first try, converted by teenage first-five Ben Mailata, who also kicked a first-half penalty.

Waitakere hit the front at 17-12 early in the second half after a Ponsonby clearing kick was charged down and loose forward Malu Fuimaono won the race to the touch down. Mailata once more converted.

Ponsonby winger David Smith was always dangerous with his elusive running and almost scored from an intercept. But it was left to the Ponies' forwards to cross for their only try.

From a lineout five metres out from Waitakere's line midway through the second half, they drove the ball across the line for prop Richard Tonga to claim the try, which Williams converted.

Ponsonby has now won 27 Gallaher Shield finals since the coveted trophy was first played for in 1922.

Although narrowly beaten, Waitakere City proved that they will be a force in next year's premier one competition. And the West Auckland club still has the Fred Allen Challenge Cup, which it won off Otahuhu several weeks ago, safely locked away until next season.