• Ponsonby Ponies claim victory in the Auckland Rugby Premier Men’s (Gallaher Shield) final 59 - 24 against Pakuranga United Rugby Club at Eden Park
• Grammar Tec take out the Premier Development (George Nicholson Trophy) final with 36-10 win over Pakuranga United Rugby Club
• Ponsonby make history winning both the Auckland men’s and women’s premier club rugby titles this season – the first time in Auckland club rugby history
• Ponsonby Rugby Club victories made extra sweet during club’s 150th anniversary year

Ponsonby Rugby Club has claimed their 46^th Gallaher Shield title and an historic double victory, becoming the first club to win both the Auckland Rugby men’s and women’s premier finals in the same year.

The 59 – 24 victory over Pakuranga United Rugby Club at Eden Park today (Saturday 27^th July) is made even sweeter during what is the club’s 150^th anniversary year.

All the pressure was on Ponsonby Rugby Club to win after their undefeated season as they took on the ‘hearty’ Pakuranga Rugby Club.

It was a 3.00 pm kick-off at Eden Park which saw the stands packed with the orange and green hoops fans (Pakuranga) on the right, and blue and black hoops fans (Ponsonby) on the left. 

The Pakuranga Premier team was the third from their club to make it into a final this season with their Under 85s and Premier Development team also reaching the finals this year. 

Ponsonby started strong with a penalty try by captain Joe Royal, before Pakuranga hit back with a try of their own making it 7-all. 

But by the 25-minute mark, Ponsonby scored three tries and by half-time Pakuranga received two yellow cards (Cameron Finifeuaki and Gafatasi Su’a).

When it came time for drinks and oranges at half-time the score was 36 - 10 to Ponsonby.

Pakuranga came out firing in the second half to give their supporters something to hope for with big charges by second five-eighth Pasquale Dunn and replacement hooker Moses Hafoka.

However, Ponsonby didn’t let that go too long as the boot of Wiseguy Faiane kept the scoreboard ticking with penalties and one drop-goal.

Manu Samoa veteran Alapati Leiua ran rapid through the Pakuranga lines and replacement Viliami Sipa scored in the corner to seal the title for the Ponies.

The final score was 59 - 24 to Ponsonby.

Despite many impressive players on the Ponsonby team who were celebrating 150-years of their club, St Peters College Old Boy Taina Fox-Matamua (number 8) was named Player of the Match.

As both teams go into the sheds to celebrate their seasons ending, it’s time to look ahead to Aucklands NPC (National Provincial Championship) and FPC (Farah Palmer Cup) season. Both representative sides are to be announced on Monday 29th July.

In the lead up to the Gallaher Shield final, the Premier Development final (the George Nicholson Trophy) saw Grammar Tec Rugby Club claim victory over Pakuranga Rugby Club 36-10.  

Article added: Saturday 27 July 2024