Ponsonby has scored 26 unanswered points to claim a dramatic 26-24 victory over University at Western Springs today, keeping their semi-final hopes well and truly alive.

As far as perfect starts go, University nailed it.

They entered the field of play with some last minute hit shield work with their coaches and went onto to regain the kick off and score within 40 seconds.

Young halfback Basil Aholelei sniped around the ruck and raced away to within metres of the try line. Hooker Kurt Eklund was on hand to barge over for the opening try which sharp-shooting Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald duly converted.

Their second try came courtesy of more great running around the fringes. From a line out, number 8 Uini Fetalaiga broke away himself and showed good pace on his way to the try line.

While a 14-0 score line after seven minutes would suggest a one sided encounter, Ponsonby did have their time with ball in hand. Will Talataina-Mu was linking well with Dan Bowden inside him and Keenan Masina at centre but the defensive pressure from University meant Ponsonby couldn’t capitalise.

It was that defensive pressure that led to University’s third try, a turn over in Ponsonby’s half followed by some quick hands from the forwards saw Blues loose forward Steven Luatua in space. He was brought down close to the line but threw a pinpoint offload to Sam Lawson to score.

Elkington-MacDonald converted for the 21-0 lead.

The home side would have been happy to be on the right side of the penalty count and were able to use this to get in good field position. 

They scored twice, in almost identical fashion in the 20th and 30th minutes. From a five metre line out their forwards grafted ahead and front rowers Willie Uili and Junior Halafuka both crossed for five points. 

With just minutes to play in the first half it was the Ponsonby backs turn to show their goods, Talataina-Mu and Bowden executed a perfect wrap-around move before Bowden popped the ball up to Freedom Vaha’akolo who eluded the defence to cross for the points.

Talataina-Mu converted and the halftime score saw University leading, remarkably, by only two points.

The visitors again looked dangerous at the opening of the second spell. They were hot on attack and looked assured of points only for the ball to be knocked on over the try line. 

Conversely, Ponsonby were looking more comfortable in building attacking plays and had a few opportunities to steal the lead before doing so midway through the half.

It was fleet-footed fullback Pryor Collier who danced through the defence on his way to the try line to go in under the posts. Talataina-Mu knocked over the extra two for the 26-21 lead.

Elkington-MacDonald narrowed the deficit with a penalty in the 73rd minute but his team couldn’t pull off the victory, Ponsonby holding on for the 26-24 win.

The result sees University drop to third place on the table and Ponsonby maintain their fourth equal position. It’s a tight race to the semi finals but this result might see both Ponsonby and University make it.

Ponsonby 26 (W Uili, M Fepuleai, F Vah’akolo, P Collier tries, M Talataina-Mu 3 con)
University 24 (U Fetalaiga, K Eklund, S Lawson tries, T Elkington-MacDonald 3 con, T Elkington-MacDonald pen) Halftime: 19 - 21