Ponsonby pile on the pressure

Nick Williams of the Blues was in action for Northcote. Picture / Nigel Marple

The Ponsonby rugby machine continues to roll, with a 33-0 win over Te Papapa Onehunga yesterday.

Last year's premier one champion has gone through the first round of the 2005 competition unbeaten and in their present form no team looks capable of upsetting them. Grammar Carlton, last season's runner-up in the Gallaher Shield final, have come closest. They beat Waitemata 47-10 at Waitemata Park yesterday, finishing the first round in second place.

University held second until they dropped several places after eight players headed to Asia with the NZ Universities side. Since their return, they've climbed back to finish third in the first round championship for the Alan McEvoy Memorial Shield. Yesterday they defeated Suburbs 40-19.

Like many of their matches this season, Ponsonby came through with a strong second half. They led 13-0 at halftime then their pack took control after the break.

Three late tries, the first to winger David Smith and the last two to fullback Nick Afoa, blew the score out to 33-0. First five-eighths Brett Williams' goal-kicking was accurate, landing both conversions and all three penalty attempts.

East Tamaki beat Otahuhu 34-25 and Marist edged Waitakere City 17-11 in their middle-of-the-table matches while, in premier two, Papatoetoe brought Pakuranga's unbeaten run to an abrupt halt winning 48-25. Pakuranga still won the Pollard Cup for the premier two first round championship, one point clear of Papatoetoe.

Both Pakuranga and Papatoetoe have won promotion to the premier one second round competition, while Suburbs and Waitemata head to premier two for the rest of this 2005 season.

NORTH HARBOUR

The value of a competent goalkicker to any rugby side was emphasised in North Harbour premier matches yesterday, with a number of fancied sides saved from upsets.

First round champions Northcote, plus Takapuna, Silverdale and North Shore were the sides who could thank their respective goal-kicking ace yesterday. Northcote's Terei Rahui kicked five penalties and a conversion, as his side were severely rattled by a Marist team recovering from a mauling in the previous round by Massey.

Thanks to Rahui, Northcote won 27-21 to retain the Les Pearce Shield but it was a mixed effort and not even the presence of Blues Super 12 player Nick Williams could shake up Northcote.

Takapuna also struggled against Mahurangi, with each side scoring a try. But Takapuna first five-eighths Jon Elrick, son of the All White footballer of the 1980s, Adrian, landed 20 points.

Silverdale and North Shore were both outscored in tries by their respective opponents, Glenfield and Helensville. But Silverdale also scored through the consistent wing Mike Wilson, who tallied 18 points.

Shore first five-eighths Justin Poihipi kicked a late penalty, for a 15-13 win over Helensville.

Massey thrashed East Coast Bays 50-12, while Navy pipped Kumeu 15-13.