Rugby: University snatch Challenge Cup in epic battle

Auckland

University retained the Fred Allen Challenge Cup after winning an epic battle over Ponsonby 19-15 at Colin Maiden Park yesterday.

Varsity were without several frontline players away with New Zealand Universities but veteran fullback Brent Ward showed his class and the formidable front row of Pauliasi Manu, Ash Dixon and Sam Hibbard anchored a fine pack.

Ponsonby could not convert several early opportunities and Varsity scored first through Blues prop Manu.

Varsity first five Adam Siddall, who had a fine game against his former club, set the match alight with a scorching pass to put winger Grayson Schiphorst in for a superb try and a handy 14-3 lead.

Ponsonby bounced back through Paula Kavienga to close the gap to 14-8 at the break.

Ferocious defence dominated the second half until another slick pass from Siddall gave Varsity captain Dixon a try in the corner for a 19-8 lead. Ponsonby closed the gap to just four points after a well-worked try to fullback Chay Raui and Rocky Khan's conversion.

Varsity held on until they turned the ball over in injury time, and Ponsonby swept 80 metres from behind their goal line to nearly score a sensational winner.

Grammar Carlton impressed with a 55-11 win over Manukau Rovers, Pakuranga thrashed East Tamaki 87-16 and Papatoetoe beat Suburbs 46-15. College Rifles defeated Waitemata 20-0, Otahuhu beat Teachers Eastern 42-34, Marist won 37-16 against Te Papapa-Mt Wellington and Eden beat Waitakere City 41-31 for their first win.

- Peter White

North Harbour

Chris Smyllie, used as only a bit player at the Blues this season, relished the chance of a full game yesterday to help Massey to an upset win over defending champions Northcote.

Smyllie scored one of his side's three tries as Massey proved too strong for Northcote with a 27-9 win.

That was only one of three startling results in Harbour matches yesterday which has left the competition table remarkably compressed.

In the battle between two of the "country" clubs, Western Pioneers continued their impressive debut following the merger of the Helensville and Kumeu clubs, upsetting the competition's early pace-setters, Silverdale.

A powerful pack effort and some formidable scrummaging, especially in the second spell, enabled Western to outscore Silverdale six tries to three in winning 38-15.

North Shore, however, showed that they will again be
a major force when they overwhelmed Glenfield, who had performed well in early matches, 73-15.

Shore outplayed Glenfield in every department, with first five-eighths Ben Botica contributing 28 points, including the conversion of all
10 tries.

Marist overcame a halftime deficit to gain their first win of the season, 25-19 over Mahurangi, while Takapuna were pushed hard before beating East Coast Bays 26-22.

Takapuna twice lost the lead and had to rely on three second spell penalties from Jon Elrick to survive a lively effort by the Bays forwards.

- Lindsay Knight