Unbeaten Ponsonby stay five points clear of chasing pack

Two tries in as many minutes by Ponsonby wingers David Smith and Tony Koonwaiyou cost Waitakere City an upset win over the Premier One competition leaders at Waitakere Stadium yesterday.

Ponsonby won 21-3 but not before they suffered anxious moments midway through the second half.

Down 8-3 but attacking deep inside the Ponsonby half, Waitakere City squandered a certain try. Almost immediately Smith scored, following a perfectly placed kick. Then Koonwaiyou raced 50m for a brilliant individual try. Ponsonby remain the only unbeaten team, five points clear of second-placed Grammar Carlton, who sneaked home 23-18 over Otahuhu at Cornwall Park.

East Tamaki continue to be the big movers, with wins over Waitakere on Tuesday night then 23-16 over University yesterday.

The Otara-based club is up to third place.

Marist had a strong second half yesterday to beat Te Papapa Onehunga 25-20 at Fergusson Park after trailing 17-3 at the break.

NORTH HARBOUR

Marist, the union's youngest club, took a major step towards their first significant trophy by entering tomorrow's first round final for the Les Pearce Shield.

Marist, comfortable winners over Takapuna a fortnight ago, caused another boilover with a 38-13 win over reigning champions Massey.

Though Marist battled the big Massey pack, the brilliance of their backs countered the disadvantage. In outstanding form was former Harbour and New Zealand Universities representative Scott Adams, who scored two tries from first five-eighths.

Marist will meet Northcote in the final at Riverhead tomorrow, after Northcote secured a comfortable 33-6 win over Silverdale.

Northcote scored three tries playing into a stiff wind, but the match degenerated into a scrappy affair studded with errors and penalties. The suspicion, though, was that Northcote were keeping a little in reserve for the final.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY