KEY POINTS:
Auckland Ponsonby made a winning start to the 2007 Auckland Premier One competition after a close 30-23 victory over gallant Waitakere City at Western Springs yesterday.
The game was not decided until the final minute, when energetic No 8 Brad Tauwhare crossed for his second try after a
fine break down the sideline by halfback Eddie Howe. Ponsonby seemed assured of victory once Waitakere No 8 Jeremy Eves was sent off by referee Shaun Elliott in the 48th minute after a fracas that also saw Tauwhare sin-binned.
But the incident fired up Waitakere, who jumped out to a 23-15 lead after two quick tries stunned the hosts. Hooker Patrick Vili started it with an intercept and 45-metre sprint to the line, before fullback Joseph Keane's well-timed pass set up a brilliant finish by winger Tuna Maeli.
Ponsonby's experience of winning the last three Gallaher Shields showed in the final period as they exerted pressure on the tiring Waitakere pack.
Some fine inter-passing from captain Benson Stanley and Nick Afoa stretched Waitakere's defensive screen to enable replacement Sam Lawrence to score.
Brett Williams added the conversion and a late penalty before the final flourish from Tauwhare clinched another defence of the Fred Allen Challenge Cup for Ponsonby.
University scored three tries to two at home against Marist but Marist sneaked a 21-20 win thanks to excellent goalkicking from Tom Wells. The Waitemata faithful were shocked to see All Black wing Joe Rokocoko run out for visitors Otahuhu but he was unable to score or prevent a determined 17-8 Waitemata win.
Grammar Carlton crushed promoted Papatoetoe 61-6, while East Tamaki suffered a rare home defeat 28-5 to a resurgent Pakuranga.
NORTH HARBOUR The Pisi brothers, in one of the few appearances they are likely to make together in club rugby this season, were top value for Massey in the opening round of North Harbour's premier competition yesterday.
The class of George and Tusi, both released from Super 14 duties, and younger brother Ken helped Massey thrash a usually formidable Helensville side 42-10.
Massey charged to a 28-0 lead before Helensville battled back to regain some respectability in the second spell. Ken Pisi ran in two of his side's six tries and Tusi landed four conversions.
Yesterday's other impressive side was Northcote, who scored four tries in toppling Glenfield 25-12. It seemed Glenfield might come back into the match due to utility back Jack McPhee's excellent goalkicking. But a rare miss by McPhee which could have made the score 15-15 helped change the pattern.
Northcote surged back in the second spell to clinch the result with superbly constructed tries by wings Makea Pokere and Steve Motuliki.
North Shore, though down to 12 in the final stages due to an ordering off and two yellow cards, held on to beat Mahurangi 16-5 and Marist had a comfortable 24-9 win over East Coast Bays.
Silverdale, well led in the forwards by representative lock Ryan Wilson and promising loose forward Robert Colhoun, beat a stronger than expected Kumeu 25-20.