University stay top with win over Marist

Dennis Tommy of Pukekohe in action. Photo / Getty Images

AUCKLAND
University remain three points clear with three rounds to play in the Alan McEvoy Trophy after a convincing 30-11 win over Marist at Colin Maiden Park yesterday.

Despite losing seven players to rep duty, University proved they had the depth needed to overcome a well-drilled Marist side. The standout player was first five Adam Siddal, who was a shock omission from the Auckland squad.

Siddal began the game with a 50m penalty kick to open the scoring and then set up winger Unaloto Pita for the first of his two tries with a precise cross-kick. Siddal converted from the touchline for a 13-0 lead after just 12 minutes.

University produced a classic backline move to put winger Grayson Schiphorst across and scored again before halftime through Pita after smart link play from openside flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua, in just his first season out of St Peter's College.

Marist trailed 23-6 early in the second spell and any chance of a comeback disappeared when lock Josh Eden-Whaitiri crashed over after No 8 Jonny Paine and halfback Dave Ormrod combined well. Marist fullback Jordan Hyland scored late in the game.

Second-placed Papatoetoe defended the Sir Fred Allen Challenge Cup with a 27-21 win over Waitakere, while Grammar Carlton beat bottom-placed East Tamaki 30-15 to stay third.

Ponsonby are fourth after struggling to a 27-20 victory over Suburbs, Pakuranga romped over Eden 74-12, and College Rifles beat Te Papapa-Mt Wellington 48-6. Otahuhu defeated Manukau Rovers 38-18 and Teachers Eastern won 26-22 against Waitemata.

- Peter White

NORTH HARBOUR
Inspired by lively loose forward Mikaele Tuu'u, Silverdale showed yesterday with a 28-14 win over Western Pioneers that they could be the big movers when the North Harbour premier title is decided over the next four weekends.

Silverdale's win moved them to a clear second place on the table and, though they meet top side North Shore in the last of the qualifying matches next weekend, they will be at full strength. Shore have been hit hard by representative demands.

In beating Western, Silverdale scored five tries to one, and would have won more comfortably but for poor goalkicking. Tuu'u, who was Northland's hooker last year and previously played for Canterbury and the New Zealand Colts, scored two of the side's five tries and now has 12 for the season while playing as a flanker.

Tuu'u will finish the rugby season when club rugby ends, as he is concentrating on his teaching studies this year and is not available for either Northland or Harbour.

Though without many top-liners, Shore retained an unassailable table lead with a 35-6 win over Glenfield.

Takapuna, also sorely depleted, were upset 24-12 by East Coast Bays and, though assured of a top six playoff spot, could be displaced by Northcote in fifth place.

Another former representative hooker, Roger Dustow, led a strong second spell effort by Bays, scoring one of the side's two tries, while first five-eighths Dave McMurtrie controlled play cleverly.

Northcote's well-drilled pack was the basis for their 22-17 win over fourth placed Massey and Marist, with experienced wing Vincent McDonald scoring four tries, moved well clear of the bottom two spots with a 41-0 win over Mahurangi.

- Lindsay Knight