Late-game heroics have again given University a narrow victory over Suburbs in the Auckland club competition.
In the first round last month, an injury-time try by Matt Faleuka gave University a 24-20 win.
On Saturday, University first five-eighths Eliota Fuimaono was the hero, potting a goal in the last seconds for a 13-11 victory.
University would have been desperately unlucky not to win after Faleuka bombed a first-half try.
He had skirted around the Suburbs defence and was 15m clear of any other player when he tripped over his own feet and spilled the ball forward in goal.
University did manage a try by Travis Bonney and led 10-0 at the break, but it hardly seemed enough after having the benefit of the strong wind.
Suburbs fullback Sefulu Gaugau scored in the second half and Therri Rahui kicked a penalty and a late drop goal for an 11-10 lead.
But there was enough time left for a restart and University cleverly manoeuvred into position for Fuimaono's last-ditch effort.
Ponsonby thrashed Waitakere City 73-20, 11 tries to three. Promoted Eden competed strongly against Waitemata before losing 31-10, while College Rifles found Grammar Carlton too professional and went down 39-6.
Blues wing Doug Howlett played fullback for Marist, scoring a try, but they still went down 19-5 to Otahuhu.
Demoted Pakuranga had first five-eighths James Arlidge back from Blues duty and he kicked his side to a 28-15 win over Roskill Districts after both scored three tries.
Papatoetoe suffered a surprise 17-16 defeat to Teachers Eastern.
NORTH HARBOUR
Massey and Silverdale, the two dark horses of Harbour rugby, shrugged off the loss of match-winning first five-eighths Tusi Pisi and Luke McAlister to beat East Coast Bays and Helensville respectively and clinch a top-six finish.
Pisi (Massey) and McAlister (Silverdale) this week play in the trials for the New Zealand squad for the world under-21 championship.
Pisi's replacement, Jarrod Framhein, kicked three first-half downwind penalties to give Massey a 9-5 lead.
Bays flourished with the wind and rain at their backs, taking a 17-9 lead, but Massey stormed back with two tries for a 21-17 win in a splendid team effort.
Silverdale ruthlessly stuck to a wet-weather plan to beat Helensville 20-8.
Silverdale led 17-0 at halftime after playing downwind.
Against the elements in the second half their big pack and backs set up defensive patterns which Helensville could not overcome.
Takapuna were flattered by a 7-3 halftime lead after withstanding a gutsy Glenfield offensive, but upped the pace in the second half and pulled away for a flattering 22-3 win.
North Shore made too many fundamental errors in beating Marist 16-10.
On the first chilly day of winter, Mahurangi were the big achievers, scoring nine tries, six through the backs, in beating Navy 57-0.
With two rounds of pool play left, Takapuna (32 points), Massey (28), and Silverdale and Northcote (27) are assured of top-six finishes.
The other two for the championship round are likely to be North Shore (24) and East Coast Bays (23).
COUNTIES MANUKAU
Waiuku scored eight points in the last five minutes to beat Onewhero 20-13.
Onewhero dominated play in the first half and built up a 13-0 lead at the break.
But in the second half, Waiuku made good use of the wind, with first five-eighths Duncan Bell plugging the corners and keeping Onewhero in their own half.
The Waiuku forwards started to dominate, with lock John Kennedy particularly effective in the lineouts.
Bell kicked a penalty with five minutes left to take Waiuku to a 15-13 lead, and a try on fulltime secured the win and third place on the points table.
With seven of their starting line-up out with injury or on international duty, Pukekohe had to work for their 44-26 win over struggling Karaka.
Pukekohe started well, scoring two quick tries.
They were completely dominant in the scrums, with prop Koli Latailekepa having and outstanding game, scummaging well and scoring four tries.
Karaka fought back hard in the second spell and never gave up, scoring a fourth try and securing a bonus point on fulltime.
For Karaka, No 8 Nick Connell had a strong game, defending well and being physical on attack.
Papakura upset an inconsistent Bombay 27-14 in a muddling affair.
Bombay made too many mistakes, while Papakura made the most of their opportunities.
In wet conditions, Quentin Snaft controlled the game well for Papakura and openside flanker Carl Stephens had an outstanding game, securing loose ball and creating turnovers.
Papakura's big Fijian lock, Junior Kina, also had a strong game, scoring two tries before he left the field in the second half with a serious knee injury.
Bombay halfback Joe Heta was outstanding.
Ardmore Marist stayed at the top of the table with an 18-8 win over Manurewa, Billy Ngawini and TeKori Luteru scoring the tries for the winners.
Varsity hand Suburbs repeat late defeat
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.