By GRAHAM REDDAWAY
The result of their match against Waitemata, ending the second round of the Auckland premier club rugby competition, was not as important to Suburbs coaches Bruce Birtwistle and Shane King as the need to complete it without injuries.
But when wing Lia Taumanavao scored the opening try after only
30 seconds, their concern that the Gallaher Shield game would be the brutal affair local derbies often become, evaporated.
With an almost galeforce wind at their backs, Suburbs added four more tries and led 31-7 at the break.
And in the second half, when Waitemata preferred to keep the game open, there was little danger the Suburbs coaches would be swamped with injured players.
At the end of the second spell, Suburbs ran off winners 38-14.
The most fascinating aspect of the match was the duel between two New Zealand Sevens stars, Malili Muliaina at fullback for Suburbs, and Amasio Raoma on the left wing for Waitemata. They each made break after break and invariably it was the other who made the final tackle to prevent a try being scored.
Waitemata had an industrious flanker in Willie Brame, and Mana Ashford was a very good link at first five-eighths.
Ponsonby combined brilliantly in an excellent match against Grammar Carlton, winning 48-17.
Pakuranga dominated Papatoetoe up front and their pacy backline did the rest to win 49-18.
University and Marist scored five tries apiece, but the students kicked the goals to win 34-27. And Otahuhu looked ready for their semifinal against University next weekend with a 58-14 drubbing of Waitakere City.
Roskill Districts confirmed their place in the promotion-relegation playoffs by beating College Rifles 28-18, Tamaki were simply too strong for Eden, winning 53-18, Te Papapa Onehunga surprised Manukau 28-5, and Mt Wellington downed East Tamaki 19-18.
