KEY POINTS:
AUCKLAND
Wing David Smith dashed any Marist hopes of undoing Ponsonby's unbeaten season with a performance that helped the Ponies to a 39-8 win.
Late in the first half, with just a penalty on the scoreboard, Smith carved through a hole and saw first-five Brett Williams score
in the corner. In the second half, Marist pushed too many risky passes; Smith benefited with two 70m runaways.
For Ponsonby, most of the team contributed. Hooker Mark Hooper impressed and number 8 Brad Tauwhare was at his dynamic best.
East Tamaki managed to avoid relegation by beating Papatoetoe 22-8. Otahuhu beat Pakuranga 20-12 but will join Papatoetoe in being relegated; their loss to East Tamaki earlier this year was the deciding factor. Otahuhu wasted many scoring opportunities. Joe Rokocoko was always dangerous and scored a try while Orene Aii at fullback showed his class.
University beat Grammar-Carlton 28-22 to erase lingering memories of its humiliating loss to Ponsonby a few weeks ago. Varsity surged out to a promising 15-0 lead early in the first half but Grammar-Carlton got into the game with number 8 Soape Kavaliku making an impact from the bench and wing Rocky Havili grabbing two tries.
Waitakere City won the battle of the big forward packs, beating Waitemata 15-10. Waitemata led 10-0 at halftime but could not stop Waitakere from coming back in the second half.
Mt Wellington beat Eden 18-6 to earn promotion from Premier 2. Manukau will join them after they outlasted Suburbs 12-11.
NORTH HARBOUR
Northcote maintained their unbeaten record in the North Harbour club rugby premiership despite being hard pressed by North Shore, emerging with a 14-13 win.
Blues Super 14 player Nick Williams appeared for Northcote for the first time this season, was timely because he was able to compensate for the loss to a facial gash of the side's promising young captain, Richard Mayhew.
Takapuna has developed a habit of squandering handy halftime leads, and it happened again yesterday when Silverdale stormed back from a halftime deficit of 8-20 to win 28-23.
Marist, yet to have a second-round bye, stayed on top of the table by beating Mahurangi 31-10 to gain maximum points. However, it was a scrappy match with Marist missing star forwards Anthony Boric and Mike Reid, both of whom have injuries.
Massey had the two Pisi brothers, George and Tusi, back from Super 14 and they were effective in the side's 31-10 win over East Coast Bays.
Helensville failed to score a try against Glenfield and relied solely on the boot of inside back Joel Nasmith for a 12-8 win.
COUNTIES
Top-of-the-table Karaka beat Patumahoe 12-3 in one of the two critically important games this week. Patumahoe dominated the scrums but Karaka competed elsewhere. Halves Chad Tuoro and Kane Hancy, both battling for a place in the Steelers, were at each other in a great tussle, probably sharing the honours after 80 minutes.
Tuoro scored the opening try for Karaka and Hancy again showed his importance to his side. Patumahoe hooker Ilaisa Maasi had an impressive return from injury.
In the battle for the important sixth spot, Manurewa will be celebrating the unexpected return to the field of star Chiefs wing Lelia Masaga. He showed the class and skill that made him the top Super rugby try-scorer this year by adding five tries, Manurewa beating Bombay 43-12. Ardmore Marist gave Weymouth a 12-try beating, Pukekohe battled to a 36-3 victory over Drury and Waiuku thumped Te Kohanga 95-0.