KEY POINTS:
Auckland
A star-studded Ponsonby continued on their winning ways, defeating Carlton Grammar 34-11 at Cornwall Park yesterday.
The Williams brothers, Ali and Jay, again locked the scrum, while Sam Tuitupou and David Smith featured in the backline. They did not disappoint and were all involved in both constructive and destructive play.
Ali Williams played as if the All Black selectors were in the crowd, making several covering tackles and hitting the ball up powerfully. But Graham Henry might have taken keen interest in exciting wing David Smith, who delighted the crowd with a number of scintillating runs including one 60m burst to the tryline.
Openside flanker Julien Palmer was rewarded for some fine support play this season with three tries yesterday.
It is Marist's turn next week to try to stop Ponsonby's momentum but after their lacklustre 15-5 victory over East Tamaki yesterday they will be concerned, even though they remain unbeaten this year.
Straight after halftime East Tamaki scored a try to be leading 5-3 but Marist came back with tries to prop Saimone Taumoepeau, who once more had a storming game, and wing Reynold Lee-Lo.
Marist made a number of mistakes and were also guilty of giving away too many penalties.
Pakuranga showed their recent form has been no fluke by knocking over University 20-17. Pakuranga prevailed by playing a more structured game, with first-five Jono Steele directing the backline with authority and No 8 Timote Militoni also impressive.
The presence of Joe Rokocoko on the wing was not enough to stop his Otahuhu side from a 35-19 defeat by Waitakere City. Otahuhu didn't give the All Black much ball but he scored one well taken try. For Waitakere flanker Willie Lio impressed as did lock Misiite Timu.
Waitemata were too strong for Papatoetoe winning 64-0. Fullback Henry Lawson scored 27 points, including three tries.
North Harbour
Fullback Malaki Nareki and the Emery brothers, Shane and Lance, were the toast of Riverhead yesterday after spearheading Kumeu to a major upset win in North Harbour premier club rugby.
Kumeu, last year's wooden spooners and always a struggler in recent seasons, toppled Massey, the 2004-05 Harbour champions, 26-24 in the biggest boilover so far this season.
Nareki, a lively attacker, scored two tries and the Emery brothers both added crucial points with the boot to cancel out the hat-trick of tries scored for Massey by Viliami Maafu.
In another surprise Silverdale, with former Northland No 8 Tim Henwood back from overseas and promising flanker Rob Colhoun recovering from injury, pipped North Shore 19-18.
With Northcote having the bye, Marist moved into first on the ladder with a clearcut 22-6 win over East Coast Bays.
Marist were too good for Bays, who were without hooker and leader Roger Dustow, both up front and in the backs.
But it was an appropriate way for Marist to mark Tony Coughlan's 99th game for the club and his last for the season before he moves to Northland for the representative season.
Takapuna gained a maximum five points with a 31-6 win over Glenfield and Helensville were fully extended before beating an improved Mahurangi 21-17.
Counties Manukau
Three quick second-half tries helped Patumahoe to an important 36-18 win over Manurewa yesterday.
With the race for places in the top half of the points ladder heating up, the pressure was on Manurewa to perform better than they have in recent weeks and they might have fancied their chances against a Patumahoe side missing several key players.
They played with greater rhythm than recent weeks and led at half-time after solid work by No 8 Fritz Lee and lock Jamie Metcalfe.
But a combination of poor handling and option taking, particularly from the Manurewa backs, allowed the defending champions to gain the upperhand in the second spell.
Patumahoe No 8 Sione Tangi was bruising in defence while their scrum was dominant across the paddock.
Second-five Pat Saukuru continued to impress with his power and speed, while fullback Pugsy Arthur was solid at the back.
Also under pressure were Ardmore Marist and Waiuku, with both teams desperate to remain in touch with the competition leaders.
Daryl Sanft scored a try and kicked two conversions and two penalties to help Ardmore Marist to a crucial 25-15 win over Waiuku.
Bombay gave Pukekohe a fright before going down 30-22, while Drury celebrated a bonus-point win over Weymouth 29-16 to leave them level on points with Manurewa on the table.
Karaka enjoyed an easy day at the office as they crossed for 10 tries in their 64-0 win over newcomers Te Kohanga.
The win ensured they remained unbeaten in the competition while Te Kohanga failed to add to the three points they have scored all season.
