Rugby: Five-eighths chooses moment to run well

Ardmore Marist first five-eighths A. J. Derwin scored in the last play of the game to give his team a 14-13 win over Waiuku and retain the top spot in the Counties-Manukau club rugby championship.

Derwin chose only once to run in the match and it could not have been more timely.

The Ardmore Marist pack were competitive against a Waiuku pack that contained four Steelers, and Robert Afoa and Jamie McGill were standouts.

New Steeler Andrew Thomson scored Waiuku's only try.

Onewhero were unlucky not to beat Manurewa, having to settle for a 31-31 draw. At halftime they led 21-9 and, with 15 minutes left, 31-16.

Heroes for Onewhero were Craig Thomas and Mathew Cathcart in the forwards and Dale Geck and Jeremy Hull in the backs.

Selesi Moimoi was Manurewa's saviour with three tries.

Manurewa are now eight points adrift of the playoffs and they will have to win their remaining four games to have any chance of making the top four.

Pukekohe's forwards were the key to their 29-15 win over Bombay. Darren Butcher and Simon Fleming had the better of their opponents at scrum time, while Simon McKearney did the damage in the loose and scored three tries to bury Bombay.

First five-eighths Rob Dennison mixed his play well and fullback Toby Robson showed some nice touches at fullback. Down 0-29 early in the second half, the Bombay backs cut loose, with Jason Paul and Puanani Hunia staging a late revival to score three second-half tries. Papakura thrashed a hapless Patumahoe team 92-7, scoring 14 tries.

First five-eighths Steve Kumarich contributed 32 points, with two tries and 11 conversions, while winger Patick Petelo scored four tries.