KEY POINTS:
Auckland
With three rounds remaining and seven teams vying for top four spots, there were some interesting match-ups yesterday, with Grammar Carlton going down 24-16 at home to Waitakere in one.
Waitakere City rattled on 17 points in five minutes to make the running. The first try to No 8 Samu Matagitau came after a fine turnover by halfback Junior Tonu'u.
Immediately from the kickoff, a favourable bounce from a kick return saw Tonu'u make a clean break. A few years ago, he would have scored himself but he was fortunate to have speedster Tuna Maeli on his shoulder, who scooted away for the try.
Soon after, weak tackling saw Waitakere burst through with three sets of hands touching the ball before outstanding lock Joe Tekori scored the third try. Grammar Carlton were stunned into action and a penalty and well worked try to pacy winger Eddie Devitt saw them back to 17-11 by halftime.
The second half saw Grammar Carlton guilty of not using danger man Rocky Havili, who seemed to beat men at ease when the ball came his way. With five minutes to go, a well-worked move from a lineout by Tonu'u and midfielder Junior Fotu saw centre Sofeni Faifua cross for the winning try.
Ponsonby burst Pakuranga's bubble, beating them 31-7, led by top efforts from No 8 Brad Tauwhare and New Zealand under-19 halfback Wayne Ngaluafe.
Waitemata showed they are still the main contenders to knock over Ponsonby this year with a 33-10 victory over University. Once again the Waitemata pack played clinically, while their backs made good use of their opportunities.
East Tamaki squeaked home 25-22 against Mt Wellington after leading 25-3 at halftime. East Tamaki's blindside flanker Rob Apulu has shown week in and week out that he could easily make the step up to a higher level.
Marist made tough work of beating Manukau 32-3. However, four second half tries, including a fine effort by winger Pasila Wilson, made sure of the win.
North Harbour
Takapuna showed the depth which has made them favourites to win the premier club title again when two backline reinforcements, fullback Corrie Beukes and first five-eighths Dave Strachan, starred in yesterday's 76-0 massacre of Kumeu.
Both have come into the side as a double replacement for Takapuna's ace goal-kicker Jon Elrick, who has taken up a club contract in Britain. But Beukes, a South African, and Strachan have proven capable replacements.
Beukes kicked 21 points and, having spent the bulk of the season in the reserves, now has 200 points for the season. Strachan, who controlled play well against a poorly disciplined Kumeu side, scored four tries, while wing Mark Kane, son of 1974 All Black Greg, scored three.
Veteran wing Lance Fitzpatrick excelled in Silverdale's 32-13 win over Glenfield, scoring three tries and then taking over the goalkicking after eight misses to land a conversion.
Northcote's big pack overpowered Mahurangi for a 40-13 win, with loose forward Michael Mayhew scoring two tries. Bolstering Northcote for the last 30 minutes were representative squad members Richard Mayhew and Doug Fletcher.
Massey beat Helensville 25-18 in an absorbing match and North Shore came away in the second half to beat East Coast Bays 29-17.
Counties Manukau
Pukekohe ended Karaka's unbeaten run with a last minute 31-29 win in the McNamara Cup. Pukekohe raced out to an early lead and were reliant on the boot of Blair Feeney, who kicked two conversions and four penalties - including a penalty on the final whistle - to snatch the victory.
Karaka scored a couple of excellent long-range tries, with Lance Easton again showing his class by grabbing one and contributing to the other. Pukekohe blindside Cameron Spiers, son of Counties legend John, was outstanding.
Waiuku moved into the top four with a 31-22 victory over Patumahoe, who now slump to fifth. Sherwin Stowers, discarded from the Steelers' pre-season squad, returned to club play for Ardmore Marist with style, scoring 17 points, including a try, in his side's 34-19 win over resurgent Manurewa.
With Karaka, Ardmore Marist and Pukekohe sitting comfortably at the top of the table, next week's results will be vital for Waiuku and Patumahoe in determining the fourth playoff spot.
