Rugby: Late attacking raids set up exciting draw

AUCKLAND

University and Waitemata played out an exciting 19-19 draw in the feature game of round six of the premier competition at Colin Maiden Park yesterday.

Waitemata looked to have the game sewn up 19-14 with time up on the clock but University were awarded back-to-back penalties to set up a sustained set of attacks which brought reward when a ball from centre Teddy Stanaway put fullback Brad Linklater over for a try.

Linklater missed the vital conversion.

Waitemata should have been well behind in the first half as the home team dominated position and possession. Waitemata eventually opened the scoring when first-five Dusan Hakaraia charged down James Semple's clearing kick to score in the corner and they led 7-0 at halftime. Just after the break, centre John Vui finished off a slick move to give Waitemata a 14-0 lead.

University made some passes stick after 53 minutes as Linklater scored. Waitemata increased their lead to 19-7 with Vui's second try.

In other games, Ponsonby had their hardest game of the season before beating a fired-up Otahuhu team by 36-28.

Grammar Carlton were held 9-9 at the break by a determined Marist side but romped home to win 38-9. In the day's upset result, Pakuranga lost ground on the top four after losing 20-13 to College Rifles.

- Peter White

NORTH HARBOUR

Takapuna's prolific scoring first five-eighths Jon Elrick set what must be some sort of record, even at national level, by kicking nine penalty goals in his side's 27-13 win over Glenfield.

Glenfield was punished severely by referee Hayden Smith and Elrick had 12 attempts at goal.

To compound their problems, Glenfield also had three players given yellow cards. But even then Takapuna could not cross the line and their lack of penetration and failure to exploit chances must be a worry.

The only bright spot from the Takapuna backline was that, as well as his goal-kicking, Elrick was in commanding form with his punting, using the wind well to keep Glenfield pinned in their own 22 in the second spell.

The form sides of the first round continue to be Northcote and North Shore. Mike Harris was again in good kicking touch as Northcote came with a burst over the final quarter to beat Silverdale 42-9 and North Shore, well led up front by hooker Jamie Hincho, was always in charge over Massey, winning 38-22.

Mahurangi bounced back from the drubbing to Northcote to record their second upset of the season, 21-15 over East Coast Bays. Promising lock Michael Farmer, who has been out with injury, came off the bench to inspire a comeback from a halftime deficit of 12-5.

Marist outscored Helensville seven tries to two for a 41-12 win.

- Lindsay Knight