Rugby: Pakuranga bowled in Pony stampede

AUCKLAND

Ponsonby stayed on top of the table, thrashing Pakuranga 58-19 yesterday.

At Pakuranga's Bell Park, Ponsonby scored seven tries to one, the consolation try coming late when Ponsonby were reduced to 13 players after referee Robert Parkes sent two players to the bin.

Ponsonby dominated from the kick-off, winning the loose forward battle with Chris Lowrey and Johnny Tuamoheloa outstanding. At halftime, the Ponies were comfortably ahead 24-9.

Pakuranga fullback Jono Steele kicked four penalties to close the gap to 27-12 early in the second spell before Ponsonby took control.

Ponsonby's front row of Sam Fifita, Mark Hooper and Richard Tonga gave the home side few opportunities.

Elsewhere, University moved up to second place after upsetting Grammar Carlton 27-20, despite missing six top line players to the NZ Universities side. The star of the show was halfback Brenton Helleur who, for the second time this season, scored a late match-winning try and outplayed Grayson Hart in front of Auckland coach Mark Anscombe.

Grammar Carlton led 17-10 at the break but with University's front row cleaning up at scrum time, the pressure eventually became too much for Grammar Carlton to handle.

- Peter White

NORTH HARBOUR

North Shore's Wellington recruit, burly No 8 Matt Luamanu, confirmed he will be a strong contender for representative honours this season.

Luamanu, who had 12 games for Wellington in last year's national championship, scored five of Shore's six tries in their 40-18 win over Glenfield.

That was not the only startling individual scoring feat in yesterday's sixth round matches. Takapuna's goal-kicking ace Jon Elrick, who landed nine penalty goals last weekend, kicked eight as Takapuna again failed to cross the line for a try but still managed to beat Silverdale 24-15.

In another game dominated by penalties and constant stoppages, East Coast Bays upset Marist 23-17 to retain the Les Pearce Challenge Shield.

Bays, sparked by halfback Nalu Tuigamala, used a strong wind to build up a 23-0 halftime lead, which Marist could not peg back. This match saw 31 penalties, four yellow cards and a penalty try.

Northcote continued their unbeaten run with a clinically efficient display to overrun Massey 43-7 to preserve a three-point table lead over Shore. First five-eighths Mike Harris contributed 18 points and has already exceeded a century of points for the season.

Mahurangi gained their third win of the season, with an influx of Tongan players helping them to their biggest winning margin as a Harbour premier club, 56-3 over Helensville.

- Lindsay Knight