Rugby: Seven-try comeback grants Papakura top spot in semis

In the final round of Counties Manukau club rugby, Papakura emerged as top qualifier by beating Bombay 48-15.

Bombay got off to the better start following a fine solo effort from David McRobbie and good work by prop Hone Kingi to lead 15-7.

But Papakura came back to reveal their class and run in seven tries to emerge as comfortable winners.

Onewhero closed their championship season on a high note, beating second-placed Ardmore Marist 17-15.

Ardmore Marist had most of the possession, but could find no way through the defensive screen set by Dale Geck and Jeremy Hull.

Curly Bovill, in his 200th game for Onewhero, played with an enthusiasm that belied his age, and he, with the rest of the team, had good cause for celebration.

Pukekohe secured a home semifinal for next weekend with their 40-19 win over high-flyers Waiuku.

In what was predominantly a forward battle, Pukekohe had the better of a pack that contained four Steelers. None was better than 20-year-old Pukekohe lock Kitiona Viliamu, who was rewarded with two tries.

Manurewa handed Patumahoe their biggest hiding of the year - 118-0. Wingers Selesi Moimoi and Opeta Lafotasi were the main benefactors, scoring four tries each.

Scott Penney notched 38 points on a day that Patumahoe would rather forget.

Next weekend, Papakura will play Ardmore Marist in the major semifinal, in which both teams have two lives, while Pukekohe play Waiuku in the sudden-death semifinal.