Club Rugby: Semifinalists cement places

Auckland
East Tamaki and Waitemata have joined Ponsonby and University as the 2006 Gallaher Shield semifinalists.

Ponsonby, last year's Gallaher Shield champion, and University were already assured of two of the four semifinal places while East Tamaki and Waitemata had to win yesterday to keep in the chase for a chance at winning the coveted Shield.

And they did just that. East Tamaki beat near neighbour Otahuhu 15-9 on their home ground at Otara while Waitemata came through with a strong second half to beat Suburbs 34-14 at Avondale after holding a narrow 10-9 edge at halftime.

East Tamaki were unbeaten at home in this second round championship. Four teams had tried, including Ponsonby, and all went home empty handed. Otahuhu led 6-3 at halftime but East Tamaki winger Sam Feleti sealed it for the home side with a second half try.

Referee 'Smudge' McNeilage also awarded East Tamaki a penalty try in the second half, the other points coming from a conversion and a penalty by veteran player-coach Tupo Fa'amasino.

Waitemata's Joe Mereyato starred in the other semifinal decider with three tries against Suburbs.

Ponsonby knocked last year's Shield finalist Waitakere City out of contention as the Ponies successfully defended the Fred Allen Challenge Cup with a decisive 41-24 win at Western Springs Stadium.

Marist saw their semifinal hopes evaporate when they lost 16-13 to Grammar Carlton at Cornwall Park. Pakuranga also came unstuck, University coming back from a 13-12 halftime deficit to win 36-23 at Bell Park.

Pakuranga, Grammar Carlton, Waitakere City, Marist and Otahuhu will face off next week to see who joins Suburbs in the promotion-relegation series.

North Harbour
Massey and Mahurangi have been docked four points for fielding unregistered players - a penalty which could derail Massey's attempts to defend its championship title.

Yesterday Massey scored a try in the last play of their game to squeeze past Takapuna 23-19. Winger Knox Alofivae had been on the field for only 10 minutes but made the most of his opportunity by crossing in the corner for the match-winner. However, Massey's points deduction means Marist are still top of the table. Helensville are now second equal with Takapuna and Massey, after beating Kumeu at home 19-10. In an evenly fought match Kumeu were leading at halftime but missed conversions, which proved costly.

Mahurangi saw their top eight chances slip away, losing at home to North Shore 9-5 and that, together with their points deduction, means they cannot make the playoffs.

Although Glenfield lost to Northcote 38-35 in another free-flowing match, they scraped into the top eight and will take heart from this game. Northcote had already qualified and should have some confidence for the next phase of the competition.

In another close contest, East Coast Bays beat Silverdale 28-25. Bays have left their run too late and failed to qualify. Silverdale had already secured a spot in the playoffs.