KEY POINTS:
Auckland
Marist won their crucial match at Waitakere City 11-0 yesterday. The scoreline illustrated the tightness of the match, with both sides refusing to give up. The wet weather also played a part, with many handling errors and teams looking to kick rather than run the ball.
With the score 0-0 at halftime, Marist seemed to want the win more. Their halfback Matt George had another fine game, as did stand-in first-five Steve Shapland. They kicked cleverly for territory and for outstanding winger Thomas Timani to chase and apply pressure.
Two moments of individual brilliance were enough to make sure of the game. Fullback Tom Latu had just finished a spirited counterattack when he fielded the ball again after a clearing kick. He found only forwards in front of him and evaded several tackles to touch down for a try.
With 10 minutes left, veteran winger Pasila Wilson stood behind a ruck and called for the ball. From close to the sideline, he calmly slotted a drop goal to ensure the win.
Waitakere City should be proud of their effort, with centres Patrick Leaupepe and Sofeni Faifua both having impressive games.
Ponsonby eventually beat a gallant Mt Wellington side 30-12. With 10 minutes remaining, the score was just 18-12 but late tries to first-five Brett Williams and prop Mack Pooi made the score more flattering for Ponsonby.
Mt Wellington struggled as they lost two men to the sinbin, playing 20 minutes with a man down. Halfback Mika Kalolo had yet another good match and will surely earn some higher recognition in his career.
University were tested by Manukau but won 26-7. They were leading only 5-0 at halftime but sorted themselves out to cross for three more tries and make sure of a vital bonus point. For Manukau, captain Tau Pole stood out with his commitment.
Pakuranga and Grammar Carlton slugged it out in the wet in another close contest. Grammar Carlton held on to win 10-6.
Pakuranga were disappointed not to make the most of their opportunities and handling errors were costly.
Second five-eighth Mike Syddall capped a fine season with another quality performance.
In a relatively free-spirited and high-scoring match, Waitemata outpointed East Tamaki 37-26, with nine tries scored.
With their victories this week, Ponsonby, Waitemata and Marist are assured of a semifinal spot. Four teams tied for fourth will make for a fascinating last round.
University will need to upset unbeaten Ponsonby and Waitakere City will battle it out with Pakuranga. Grammar Carlton may have the easiest job with a home game against East Tamaki but that result is by no means assured.
North Harbour
Takapuna continued their late run with a 33-22 win over East Coast Bays yesterday to pip Massey for the top qualifying spot and the Buck Shelford Shield as winner of the round in the premier competition.
It seemed Massey or Marist would finish first but with both heavily depleted by representative commitments, they drew with each other 10-10.
By winning and scoring five tries to gain a bonus point, Takapuna finished the round on the same number of points as Massey but finished top thanks to winning when the teams met a couple of weeks ago.
Massey had only themselves to blame for the draw. They had an edge for most of the game but missed crucial points through poor goal-kicking, with player-coach Ian Calder being thrust into the role. The one consolation was that Marist's kicking was also astray.
To achieve their win, Takapuna had to overcome a lopsided penalty count, the sin-binning in the second spell of experienced prop Adrian Donald and a deficit at one stage of 16-7.
Takapuna handicapped themselves, too, with some wayward tactics, especially in the first spell when too much ball was kicked away.
But they always appeared the better all-round team and more skilful on attack, no ploy being better than a clever kick into the box by halfback John Volckman to lay on a try for wing Mark Kane.
Northcote consolidated fourth place to meet Silverdale in the quarter-finals with a 20-3 win over Glenfield, while Helensville grabbed seventh place and a probable clash with Massey by beating an injured-depleted Kumeu side 20-0.
North Shore's impressive recent form continued with a 50-12 win over Mahurangi, with goalkicker Hayden Abercrombie excelling with a personal haul of 20 points. Shore's likely quarter-final opponent is Marist.
