Club Rugby: Northcote in rare title win

Northcote captain Richard Mayhew leads the celebrations. Photo / Getty Images

NORTH HARBOUR

Northcote's inspirational young No 8 and captain Richard Mayhew survived a battered nose and what was almost a costly spell in the blood bin to lead his side yesterday to the club's first North Harbour premiership title in 20 years.

Northcote were deserving 28-18 winners, having led North Shore for much of the game.

The result looked a foregone conclusion when Northcote jumped to a 28-6 lead early in the second spell. But the momentum switched Shore's way when Mayhew, one of the outstanding players in the first spell, was forced off with his bloodied nose and Northcote's coaching staff made early use of their substitutes.

Also off while Mayhew was absent were lively young flankers James Doyle and Theo Hermans. It was in this period, with a new back row on the field, that Shore came back into the reckoning.

In quick succession, fullback Alex Lichting and wing Konnor Ah Kuoi scored tries, the latter's coming from a fine break by first five-eighths Ben Botica.

But for the final quarter, particularly when Mayhew returned, Northcote re-asserted themselves and again took charge up front.

Northcote had much the better of the first spell, as indicated by an 18-6 halftime lead. Fullback James Peck scored an early try and, with first five eighths Mike Harris kicking accurately within the first eight minutes, Northcote led 10-0.

The most crucial try came right on the break when Mayhew started an attack with a strong burst, then finished it off with a try in the corner.

Northcote's third try in the second spell, which showed they could also match Shore in the backs, came early with wing Richard Mills finishing off a midfield break.

Massey won the plate final 48-34 from Silverdale, the highlight being a penalty goal from near his own 10 metre mark by Massey's Richard Lobb.

- Lindsay Knight

AUCKLAND

A match-winning performance from 19-year-old first five-eighths Gareth Anscombe was the highlight as Ponsonby defeated a disappointing Grammar Carlton side 30-19 in the final of the Gallaher Shield at Eden Park.

Anscombe, son of Auckland coach Mark, scored two tries in an impressive haul of 20 points to secure Ponsonby a record seventh straight title.

Grammar Carlton had lost only once all season but were denied possession by a tigerish Ponsonby pack that dominated from the kick-off.

Ponsonby got off to a great start with Sale-bound winger Paul Williams scoring a scorcher from 40 metres out in just the second minute, before two sharply taken individual efforts from Anscombe gave his side a handy 19-3 lead.

Ash Moeke kicked three penalties to close the gap but missed with two long-range efforts to leave Ponsonby ahead 19-9 at the break.

Grammar Carlton's hopes were raised with another Moeke penalty but Ponsonby's dominant pack retained possession superbly and shut their opponents out of the game.

An Anscombe penalty made it 22-12 before tighthead prop Sione Mau scored a rare try after a 40-metre burst through the Grammar Carlton defence by Auckland rep Chris Lowrey. Lowrey had a fine game and was a stand-out on defence with a succession of big hits.

Anscombe dropped a goal to put the game beyond the round robin champions, who scored a consolation try to Scott Parkes after he waltzed through some rare weak Ponsonby defence.

But it was too little too late. In other finals, a brace from Brendan Ward helped College Rifles to a tense 27-20 win over Otahuhu in the Jubilee Trophy, while Teachers Eastern beat Suburbs 45-3 to win the Portola Cup.

- Peter White