Nasmith's century victory

North Harbour

First five-eighths Joel Nasmith celebrated a century of premier games for Helensville in style yesterday by spearheading the in-form westerners to a comfortable 46-15 win over East Coast Bays. Nasmith scored two tries and kicked 11 points.

Helensville have won all four section matches and next weekend play Takapuna, the other section's unbeaten side.

Nasmith's rival last season for a Harbour representative spot, Jon Elrick, also had a prominent role when Takapuna made it five wins from as many games by beating North Shore 16-12. In a torrid battle, Elrick dropped a goal and kicked a long-range penalty in the final minutes as Takapuna rallied from a 12-10 deficit.

Former Blues Super 12 squad member Rudi Wulf provided yesterday's other highlight, playing for Marist for the first time since his serious neck injury last year. Starting on the wing, then moving to centre, Wulf scored a try in his side's 28-3 win over Silverdale.

Northcote finishing strongly to beat Glenfield 30-15, while Kumeu gained their first win, with teenage centre Jimmy Tauvita scoring two tries in a 14-9 victory over Mahurangi.

Auckland

East Tamaki has been the big mover in Auckland premier one club rugby the last two Saturdays. The Otara-based club started the season with three defeats, conceding an average of 56 points per game.

But they surprised Te Papapa Onehunga 32-19 eight days ago and upset previously unbeaten Grammar Carlton 15-11 yesterday.

The difference in East Tamaki's form has coincided with coach Tupo Fa'amasino's decision to play again.

Recently turned 40, Fa'amasino has the rugby nous to match his age. He played for Manu Samoa for a decade, including the 1991 and 1995 World Cups, then played in Japan for several years.

Grammar Carlton's loss has moved Ponsonby, who beat Te Papapa Onehunga 41-20, four points clear on the premier table, with Waitakere City and University locked in second, one point ahead of Grammar Carlton.

University enjoyed a convincing 41-17 victory over Roskill Districts but Waitakere were pushed by Otahuhu before winning 16-9. Marist scored their first win, 13-12 against Pakuranga.

Counties

Karaka managed a one-point win over Manurewa in a match so evenly contested that, for the first 40 minutes, it seemed like it was being played 20 metres either side of halfway.

Karaka ran out 16-15 winners with Manurewa fullback Junior Leota showing glimpses of speed and flair. His developing partnership with wing Lelia Masaga will have the representative coaches smiling.

Karaka led 6-3 at halftime through two Troy Nathan penalties over one from Richard Koroi. But Manurewa looked like maintaining their unbeaten record when tries from prop Junior Lemalu and Masaga, and a Tipuna Ropotini conversion gave them a 15-6 lead.

But Karaka hit back with a try by Tevita Tuifua between the posts after an outstanding break by centre Siale Piutau. Nathan converted and then kicked what proved the match-winning penalty from 40m.

Karaka are showing more maturity and worked to their strengths to earn a deserved victory.

Underlining an even competition, Ardmore Marist edged out Waiuku 10-9 and Patumahoe won 13-11 at Pukekohe.