NORTH HARBOUR
North Shore's goal-kicker Hayden Abercrombie turned out to be the hero of the side's win in yesterday's North Harbour premier final over Silverdale after it seemed he would be branded as one of the reasons why they would have lost.
He had an indifferent day with his boot, missing three comfortable penalty goal attempts, one of which was in front of the posts.
But Abercrombie landed his most difficult shot of the day, a conversion from near the corner after a late try by Shore captain James Hincho.
With nine minutes left that gave Shore the lead after they had fallen behind midway through the second spell, 16-7.
But Abercrombie's one successful penalty and his conversion of Hincho's try gave Shore a victory which, in view of the consistency they have shown all season, was well deserved.
They, however, made their task in what was a thrilling contest much harder than it should have been.
As well as Abercrombie's kicking failures Shore turned down in the first spell what were two reasonably easy penalty shots at goal, trying to push over for tries instead.
Down 6-0 for much of the first spell they finally gained the halftime lead when a strong attack down the right flank was capped by a try by openside flanker Josh Blucher.
But for a lengthy period in the second spell Silverdale had the better of the game and looked as if they might have sealed the result from a maul following an attacking lineout which lock William Lloyd scored.
First five-eighths Clayton Kiwara, who had a 100 per cent success rate with his boot, converted that, then added a penalty to give Silverdale a nine point lead.
However, Shore's rally gave them their first championship success since 2001.
-Lindsay Knight
AUCKLAND
Papatoetoe and University will host next week's Gallaher Shield semifinals after winning tough encounters yesterday.
Leaders Papatoetoe were expected to easily dispose of Suburbs but struggled playing into a stiff breeze in the first half and lacked their usual discipline at ruck time. Rambo Tavana kicked Suburbs to a 12-6 lead.
Papatoetoe came out firing after the break inspired by No 8 Ben Masoe and on the back of a power scrum ran in four tries to win easily 32-12, with substitute Desma Liaina scoring two.
University avenged last week's upset loss to College Rifles by beating the same opponents 30-10 despite spending the majority of the game on defence.
Rifles dominated possession and territory but were undone by a University scoring spree before halftime when loose forwards Nepia Fox-Matamua and Sam Henwood scored to snatch a 20-3 lead. Rifles had only a late penalty try to show for all their second half efforts while University can look forward to hosting Ponsonby next Saturday.
Defending champions Ponsonby beat Marist 24-6 with a clinical performance. Prop Brad Tauwhare finished off a flowing move to make it 10-0 after just five minutes and despite some gutsy defending Marist never looked likely.
Leading 13-3 at the break, Ponsonby dashed any Marist hopes when Joe Royal was driven over the line from a forwards surge. Veteran Brett Williams was a stand out for Ponsonby while Marist lock Tom Quarrie gave his team plenty of quality lineout ball.
Fullback Dave Thomas was the star turn for Grammar Carlton as they beat Pakuranga 39-32 and will face Papatoetoe for a place in the grand final.
- Peter White