KEY POINTS:
Auckland Marist comprehensively outplayed Grammar Carlton 23-6 in the feature Auckland premier one match at Liston Park yesterday.
Grammar Carlton opened the scoring with a penalty to slick-passing halfback Grayson Hart but that was their only joy in the first half. Marist completely dominated thanks in part to unforced turnovers from Grammar Carlton.
Marist's forward pack claimed ruck and maul superiority, which tidy first five Tom Wells turned into territorial dominance and the pressure was turned into points. Marist flanker Feliti Taumoepeau scored after five minutes following a clean break and smart pass in the tackle from No 8 Pat Vainikolo. Flying winger Pasila Wilson outpaced the cover defence for an 18-3 lead at the break.
The injection of Auckland players James Somerset and Kurtis Haiu (Marist) and Lachie Munro (Grammar Carlton) at halftime added to the quality of the second half play.
Somerset sparked the try of the match when he fielded a ball 60 metres out and tore through the wilting Grammar Carlton defence, before linking with Haiu, who set up Wilson for his second try.
In other games, Waitemata came from 0-10 behind against a well-drilled Pakuranga side at Eden Park on Friday night to win 14-10. Halfback Nonu Sua-Ausane and winger Tyler Dill-Russell scored for Waitemata to wipe out a fine 60-metre effort from Pakuranga's Mike Syddall.
University shrugged off last week's loss to Marist by scoring four quality tries in a convincing 29-8 victory over Otahuhu at Sturges Park.
Waitakere City just held on to win 14-13 in a tough battle with East Tamaki in Henderson, while Ponsonby defeated Papatoetoe 83-5. Brett Williams scored 33 points, including a hat-trick of tries and fullback Chad Raui also crossed for three tries.
In premier two action, Eden beat Te Papapa Onehunga 20-17 and Manukau had an important 23-14 victory over College Rifles. Suburbs scored nine tries in a 55-6 defeat of Roskill Districts, while Mt Wellington beat Teachers Eastern 25-7.
Tamaki defended the Waka Nathan Challenge Cup with an easy 35-5 win over Waiheke.
