Referee's error costs try but not game

A mistake by referee Chris Peoples cost University seven points, but fortunately not the game against Suburbs in the Auckland Gallaher Shield competiton.

The students were leading 17-10 midway through the second half when Peoples signalled a defensive penalty to University, but realised he was pointing in the wrong direction and reversed it.

Suburbs fullback Sefulu Gaugau saw the change, took a quick tap and raced through a confused opposition to score untouched.

Therri Rahui's conversion tied the scores at 17-17 and six minutes from time he added a penalty which gave Suburbs a three-point lead.

But in the dying seconds University centre Matt Faleuka crashed over and Brent Ward's conversion gave his side a 24-20 victory.

Brothers Paul and Gavin Williams, playing on opposite wings for Ponsonby, scored four tries between them and led their side to a 25-3 win over Waitakere City.

Otahuhu and Marist could not be separated at halftime (7-7) nor fulltime (17-17). Both sides scored two tries, with Tupe Fanolua (Otahuhu) and Des Allen each adding seven points.

Samoan teenage left-winger Alifau Matau scored three of Waitemata's five tries in their 32-3 win over Papatoetoe.

Pakuranga gave Grammar Carlton plenty to think about, and although unbeaten Grammar won 21-13, the result was never a foregone conclusion.

Eden and College Rifles lead the premier two division after Eden beat Roskill Districts 26-0 and Rifles drew 19-19 with Tamaki.

Teachers Eastern showed glimpses of their Gallaher Shield winning form of 1998/99 in beating Manukau 18-6 and East Tamaki toppled Te Papapa Onehunga 27-7.

* In North Harbour premier matches, leaders Northcote were held to a draw by Glenfield, 22-22.

Northcote, with Shore the only unbeaten sides after three rounds, led 14-6 at the break, but went to sleep in the second half.

The ageless Alan Linstrom was the Glenfield saviour, converting a try and kicking five penalties for a match tally of 17 points.

Massey and East Coast Bays share second place, two points behind Northcote.

The big Massey pack were too strong for Navy. They drove the team to a 20-6 lead at halftime and were dominant in the second spell, as Navy succumbed 51-6.

East Coast Bays scored three tries to one in downing Marist 21-14.

In fourth place, three points behind Northcote but with a match in hand, are North Shore.

They scored their win of the season in a nailbiting game, scoring eight points to six in the second half to win 19-17.

Shore were down 16-17 with a minute or so to play, when five-eighths Richard Thompson kicked the winning penalty.

Silverdale scored seven tries, four to wing Mike Wilson, in beating Mahurangi 41-7. * In the Counties Manukau competition, Waiuku outplayed Pukekohe 21-12 after leading at halftime 14-5.

Waiuku dominated in the lineouts and made a number of breaks in midfield.

Up front, Grant Henson, Rueben Morrison and Raymon Lindsey led the way with excellent lineout work and last season's New Zealand Schools first five-eighths, Stephen Donald, controlled the game well.

Onewhero managed to hold on for an away win against Papakura, 24-18.

After dominating most of the first half, and leading 15-3 at the break, Papakura looked as if they were heading for their first win of the season.

But a strong comeback from Onewhero, led by their outstanding loose forward trio of Wayne McEntee, Craig Thomas and Fraser Duncan, changed the game.

Karaka lost at home to an improving Manurewa side 46-13, and Ardmore Marist downed Bombay 17-16.