Rugby: University hammer Eden to close in on trophy

AUCKLAND

University are just one win away from clinching the Alan McEvoy Memorial Trophy after running riot over Eden 78-0 at Gribblehirst Park yesterday.

In next week's final round, University host College Rifles and will go into the game with a four-point buffer over Papatoetoe, who are at home to Pakuranga.

Eden were competitive early on with some stern defence and plenty of effort from lock Nick Brajkovic and pacy winger Sione Katoa. But despite missing nearly a full team of regulars due to representative commitments and injuries, University impressed with the new halfback combination of Henry McLernon and Thomas Halse working well.

University ran in four tries to lead 24-0 at the break and their superior fitness and depth showed as the game wore on. Winger Grayson Schiphorst bagged a hat-trick of tries.

University's set-piece work was very efficient and they look the team to beat in the upcoming Gallaher Shield playoffs.

Papatoetoe continued to impress with another rollicking performance from their young team, running in eight tries to shut out Te Papapa-Mt Wellington 56-0. Ponsonby are third after they beat East Tamaki 57-15, while fourth placed Pakuranga had to overcome a physical Otahuhu team before winning 35-19.

Grammar Carlton struggled past Suburbs 27-22, Marist beat Manukau Rovers 44-3 and College Rifles grabbed a bonus point in beating Teachers Eastern 38-5. The battle of the west went to Waitemata 23-9 over Waitakere City.

- Peter White

NORTH HARBOUR

Northcote and Takapuna, the champion clubs of the past couple of years, were both eliminated from contention for this year's North Harbour club premiership in yesterday's play-offs for semifinal spots.

Massey beat Takapuna 20-12 and Western Pioneers won an equally tense battle over last year's titleholders, Northcote, 13-10.

Massey jumped to an early 10-0 lead over Takapuna but paid the price for ill-discipline and Jon Elrick kicked three penalties to reduce the gap to 10-9 by halftime.

Massey scored a well-taken try by wing Peter Ahki near the end to make the game safe.

Massey will meet Silverdale in one semifinal next weekend and Western will meet North Shore, the top qualifiers, in the other.

Takapuna and Northcote will join East Coast Bays and Marist in the plate playoff, after Bays and Marist won their bottom four matches against Mahurangi and Glenfield respectively.

Bays had a special incentive yesterday, playing in honour of former premier player Simon Moore, a lock with more than 100 games to his credit, who died suddenly last week aged 38.

Though fully extended by a gallant Mahurangi side, Bays won 45-13, with flanker Renata Hakiwai scoring two tries.

The Marist-Glenfield clash required extra time to separate the sides, after they finished 24-24. Flanker Cliff Lambert scored three tries for Marist, but veteran first five-eighths Alan Linstrom kept Glenfield in the game with his boot.

An extra-time penalty from Marist's Danny Morrison was the decider.

- Lindsay Knight