KEY POINTS:
Auckland
Ponsonby added another Gallaher Shield title to its proud history - and its fourth in a row - with a 19-16 victory over a gallant Waitemata yesterday.
It was a final that lived up to the build-up. Many predicted that a lack of goalkicker was going
to hurt Waitemata and that proved to be correct. They outscored Ponsonby two tries to one but kicker Henry Lawson missed several shots at goal - sadly, as the fullback otherwise had a fine game sparking many attacks from the back.
Ponsonby, as always, had Brett William's boot to fall back on and the veteran didn't disappoint with a man of the match performance. In such a tense final, his cool head and steady hand was vital.
The same sides met in last year's final and Waitemata were determined to avoid a repeat of that hiding. Both sides kicked early penalties as they tested each other out. After 20m Waitemata first five Mana Ashford caught a kick about 40m out, stepped a few forwards and then kept running. He managed to offload and a couple more hands touched the ball until second five John Marurai crossed for the try.
Waitemata had several opportunities to put more points on the board but a combination of poor kicking, handling mistakes and stubborn Ponsonby defence kept them out. Late in the first half, Ponsonby kicked for the line from a penalty and drove powerfully. Williams went on an angled run to suck in the defenders and then cut with wing Nick Afoa who scored under the posts to give them a rather fortunate 10-8 halftime lead.
Both sides traded secon-half penalties without gaining an advantage. Williams, midway through the second half, slotted what would prove to be a vital drop goal. He received the ball in front of the posts and, realising he was under no pressure, took the gift three points to make it 16-11.
Waitemata, seeing their dreams fade in front of a terrace full of their supporters, were spurred into action. Their talented backs attacked down the sideline and, after a series of cuts and clever passes, Marurai scored his second try to bring the sides level.
The last 10 minutes were heartstopping as both sides threw the ball around. Williams missed a simple shot at goal but made up for it soon after as he landed another penalty to give his team the lead.
Waitemata had a chance to draw level but they also chose to kick for the line rather than shoot at goal. The resulting lineout throw was not straight and soon after the ref indicated the Gallaher Shield was not going anywhere for another year.
Four titles in a row was last achieved back in the 1920s, also by Ponsonby. Williams believes this could be the most special title of the six he has won.
"It is one of the more emotional ones since it has been 80 years since it was last done," he said.
North Harbour
Takapuna overcame a series of traumatic setbacks to gain their 10th North Harbour premier rugby title with a dramatic 28-23 win over Marist in a thrilling final yesterday.
Marist rocked the defending champions soon after the kickoff when their pacy fullback David Falealili captilised on a Takapuna error to race more than 50m for a try and an early 7-0 lead.
Soon after Takapuna's influential halfback John Volckman aggravated an ankle injury and, while he managed to see out the game, he was plainly uncomfortable.
Despite these handicaps Takapuna recovered through tries to second five-eighths Dan Robinson and lock Shane Neville to lead 18-10 at halftime.
However, for much of the second spell Marist had the edge and looked as if they might snatch their first Harbour premiership when they pegged back a 21-13 deficit with a try by loose forward Frank Afeaki and a couple of goals from first five-eighths Adrian Grey to lead 23-21.
Just when it seemed Takapuna had lost their composure with a couple of botched kickoffs, their classy inside backs, Volckman and David Strachan, reasserted dominance with some skilful touchfinders and kicks into the box.
With Marist pinned inside their own 22, Takapuna exerted sustained pressure for centre Chad Campbell, another effective performer, to crash over for the winning try with about seven minutes left.
Takapuna's second-spell problems were compounded with their backline disrupted by injuries to Robinson and experienced fullback Jerome Smith. Marist, too were hit hard by injuries, playing their third-ranked halfback, Blair Buckland.
Takapuna coach Alex O'Dowd admitted there were several moments when he thought the match had been lost against a spirited opponent.
"The never say die attitude was outstanding and is why this is such a great club," he said.
Silverdale beat North Shore 16-12 to win the premiership plate.
