Club rugby: First-class honours to University

Auckland

University caused the upset of the Auckland club rugby season when they beat Ponsonby 37-22 at Colin Maiden Park yesterday. It was Ponsonby's first loss of this 2006 season and only their second since the start of last season.

University was always in command on a wet, dismal Auckland day leading 23-3 at halftime then holding out a determined Ponsonby comeback in the second half.

Young halfback Brenton Helleur starred for University, scoring two tries, adding three conversions and two penalties for 22 points.

University's win came as a major surprise as, despite having lost only one game to date this season, they were hard pressed to beat middle-of-the-table East Tamaki 21-20 just a week ago.

Waitakere City was given a fright by Grammar Carlton on Eden Park No 1 - the game being the curtainraiser to the Blues-Chiefs Super 14 match.

Grammar Carlton led 8-0 at halftime before Waitakere City came through with three second half tries to win 22-8.

There is now a three-way tie at the head of the premier one first round points table with Waitakere City joining the Ponies and University on 29 points. At the other end of the premier one points table, Roskill Districts looks headed for relegation to premier two.

Pakuranga handed Roskill their sixth loss this season, 21-8, and they are now six points behind the second-to-last clubs Te Papapa Onehunga and East Tamaki with two series of matches to play.

In contrast, Waitemata seems certain to win promotion to premier one after beating nearest rival Suburbs 25-22 at Waitemata Park.

North Harbour

A third member of Massey's talented Pisi family, 17-year old Ken, caused an immediate impact when he made his premier club debut yesterday. Playing on the wing, Pisi scored from his first touch of the ball as Massey continued to reassert themselves after a slow start to the season by showing some of the form which made them champions in 2004-05.

With young Pisi adding another try and Massey getting another three, they thrashed Kumeu 33-0 to become one of only two sides to collect a maximum five points yesterday. Pisi's eldest brother, Tusi, kicked four conversions.

Marist, with Rudi Wulf starring in a strong start, were the other side to score a minimum of four tries in conditions that were not conducive to running rugby. Marist overcame Glenfield 24-8. The other three matches tended to reflect the conditions, particularly Helensville's clash with North Shore. Helensville, still unbeaten, scrambled to a 3-0 win, the only points in the match coming from a Joel Nasmith penalty in the first spell.

Mahurangi's well drilled pack was the basis of a 19-17 upset win over East Coast Bays and Northcote battled to a hard fought 18-0 win over Silverdale.

Counties

The slushy conditions dominated results with all three premier division matches tight affairs. At home, Manurewa didn't manage to halt their recent form slump of two consecutive losses when they lost to Pukekohe 12-8.

The slow nature of the game probably suited the large Manurewa tight five who controlled the scrums throughout. However Pukekohe gained parity with good work by Peni Halai, Jamie Chipmand and Rhys Cullinane. Neither backline got the opportunities to show their class and the 3-3 half time score spoke volumes.

After the break, Manurewa fullback Junior Leota, one of the star performers in club rugby this year, managed the sole try, tiptoeing down the side line to score in the corner.

Elsewhere, Karaka held off bottom-placed Waiuku 8-3.

Patumahoe defeated Armore Marist 10-5 in the other clash.