Waitemata give lock a hard time

By GRAHAM REDDAWAY

Marist gave 21-year-old Fijian international lock Isoa Domolailai a tough introduction to the Gallaher Shield competition by pitting him against Waitemata's in-form pair of Aaron Pulman and Michael Vondincklage.

The 2.03m giant reaped a harvest of lineout ball in the opening quarter and showed up with a run or two at the defence, but by the breakthe westerners knew how to shut him down and in the second spell their plan worked.

Waitemata scored five tries and won 32-16, ending the opening round in third place, nine points adrift of Ponsonby, who added the Alan McEvoy Memorial Shield to a trophy cabinet already containing the Supporters Club Trophy and Gallaher Shield from last season, and the Sky City Trophy for winning the Blues club competition this year.

Waitemata's loose forwards were a formidable force, especially in the second half when the New Zealand under-21 trialist Sione Lauaki entered the game.

The Marist scrum gained some mastery as the match progressed, but the Waitemata tight five still managed to drive over for two tries from mauls close to the Marist line.

The last season College Rifles played in the first division was in 1989. They won the Gallaher Shield in 1964 and lost the 1971 final to University. But in 105 years, apart from those milestones, they have not enjoyed a lot of success.

This season, under experienced coach Spot Hay, they have fought their way back and confirmed their promotion from the second division with a brilliant effort to beat Manukau 52-7.

Joining them are Eden, who sat out the last game with a bye.

Papatoetoe lost 62-5 to Otahuhu, and Pakuranga 76-10 to Ponsonby, and both have been relegated.

Grammar Carlton inflicted University's second defeat, 34-26, and Suburbs beat Waitakere City 22-0.