Alan McEvoy

Ponsonby v Pakuranga

Ponsonby were the only side in the Alan McEvoy competition guaranteed of their semi-final spot next week and perhaps that knowledge may have influenced their performance today. Pakuranga had little to lose and were dogged in much of their play throughout the course of the 80 minutes. Leading by a single point at the break, the visitors were able to deny Ponsonby a final regular season victory. The two bonus points from today’s loss however, saw Ponies claim the Alan McEvoy Shield for 2018. They now have the opportunity to do the clean sweep of Premier silverware having also claimed the Waka Nathan Challenge Cup for the pre-season competition.

Pakuranga 27 (J Akau’oka-laula, A Daracott, H Ahokovi tries, O Samate, H Ahokovi 2 conv, O Samate, H Ahokovi pen)

Ponsonby 24 (W Riedlinger, N Mataia, P Tausie, J Cooper tries, W Talataina-Mu, J Cooper conv) Halftime: 13 - 12

University v Suburbs

Today was a make-or-break match for the visitors against the reigning champions. Boosted by the return of their captain and first-five Carl Perry, Suburbs looked to throw everything at the opposition early-on, but University held firm to lead by 19-10 at the break. The second spell saw the home side runaway with the match somewhat to record a bonus point victory and lock-up a home semi-final against local rivals College Rifles next weekend.

University 36 (A Duckett 2, A Morris, N Foster, J Laurich, N Harris tries, J Ruru 3 conv)

Suburbs 17 (P Manako, C Perry tries, C Perry 2 conv, C Pery pen) Halftime: 19 - 10

Waitemata v College Rifles

The travelling College Rifles side knew that a win today would guarantee their spot in the Top 4 next week. Unsurprisingly, they weren’t given an easy time of it against a Waitemata playing for pride and form before heading into the Jubilee Cup semi-finals next weekend. Leading by 14-10 at the break, College Rifles clung on at the death to eek out the victory by a solitary point. Rifles will travel to University next week for their semi-final, but will hold little fear having come away from Colin Maiden Park victorious only two weeks ago.

College Rifles 24 (T Manu 2, L Manu, O Mausia tries, A Tuia 2 conv)

Waitemata 23 (P Hunapo, A Tuitamai, F Vakauta tries, J Matautia conv, J Matautia 2 pen) Halftime: 14 - 10

Eden v Grammar TEC

After claiming the Sir Fred Allen Challenge Cup last weekend away at College Rifles, Eden were put under the pump by a motivated Grammar TEC from the opening whistle. The away side lead at the break, but were unable to hold-out an Eden side in a recent rich vein of form. The result consigns Grammar TEC to a semi-final away to Suburbs for the Jubilee Cup while Eden travel to Ponsonby for a Gallaher Shield semi-final.

Eden 20 (J Galloway, B Lam, D Liaina tries, J Umaga conv, J Umaga pen)

Grammar TEC 15 (T Faleafa, AJ Lam tries, H Plummer conv, H Plummer pen) Halftime: 5 - 10

Portola

Marist v Otahuhu

Marist left little doubt about the result by the end of the first half. Leading by 31 points at the break the home side were relentless throughout the second 40 minutes and ran out more than comfortable victors over Otahuhu. The result means Marist lock-in second place and they’ll welcome East Tamaki to their home for next week’s semi-final with Otahuhu playing host to Te Papapa in the President’s Cup semi-final.

Marist 66 (R Ipiniu 2, D Apulu, SP Toleafoa 2, A Tevita, L Fukofuka, J Saena, T Katoa, T Tapa tries, J Saena 7, PC Tagaloa conv)

Otahuhu 7 (J Togia try, S Paulo Tialavea Morris conv) Halftime: 38 - 7

Papatoetoe v East Tamaki

The local derby is always a physical and tough contest. Papatoetoe have had little trouble up to this point in the Portola competition, but certainly knew they were in a contest by midway through the first spell. They were however able to hold a valuable 12-point lead at the break. East Tamaki rallied in the second half, but only managed to reduce the gap to 5 points by fulltime. The result means East Tamaki will travel to Marist in next week’s semi-final while Papatoetoe will face Manukau at home.

Papatoetoe 27 (V Lolohea, T Tepaea, F Havili, T Fa’alili tries, D Leuila 2 conv, D Leuila pen)

East Tamaki 22 (O Faafou, S Silipa 2 tries, T Iosua, P Palepua conv, T Iosua pen) Halftime: 17 - 5

Te Papapa v Mt Wellington

Mt Wellington were chasing their first win of the season today away to Te Papapa. The home side have fallen to number of close losses throughout the course of the season and Mt Wellington inflicted yet another one on Te Papapa while recording their first win in the process. It’s been a long time coming for Mt Wellington and they’ll be looking to use today’s result as motivation heading in to next week’s President’s Cup semi-finals.

Mt Wellington 16 (E Sauni try, A Tapili conv, A Tapili 3 pen)

Te Papapa 7 (S Havea try, S Mafi conv) Halftime: 3 – 7

Waitakere v Manukau Rovers

Waitakere were looking to celebrate club stalwart John Leifi’s 100^th Premier match in style today and they didn’t disappoint. Trailing by a single point at the break the home side were able to flip the margin around come fulltime to record a dramatic win befitting of such a momentous occasion. This is a match unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon by Waitakere and Leifi.

Waitakere 17 (A Savea 2 tries, E Fidow 2 conv, E Fidow pen)

Manukau 15 (H Longoia, W Maka tries, S Hafoka conv, S Hafoka pen) Halftime: 7 - 8

Premier Women

Marist v Manurewa

Manurewa produced their biggest result of the season to date with a humbling of defending champions Marist away from home this afternoon. With striking accuracy and physicality, Manurewa proved to be irrepressible in the way they put a young Marist side to the sword. The home side will be looking to re-group quickly for next week’s final game of the regular season while Manurewa will hope their form doesn’t let-up anytime soon.

Marist 17

Manurewa 43

East Coast Bays v Ponsonby

This was a tough old game for two evenly matched sides. Ponsonby have been building some promising form in recent weeks, so will be pleased to come away with a positive result today. The result now means Ponsonby have leapfrogged East Coast Bays into 4^th and will be looking to hold-on to their spot in the final game of the regular season next week.

East Coast Bays 17

Ponsonby 22

College Rifles v Ardmore Marist

Another week and another dominant display by a College Rifles side who must surely be considered favourites for the title now. Their dismantling of Ardmore Marist was arguably a step-up in their performance, but also somewhat unsurprising given the experience and calibre of players they are able to call upon across the park.

College Rifles 76

Ardmore Marist 10

Glenfield v Eden

Eden showed plenty of resilience and fight today but were outmatched by a Glenfield side playing in front of their home crowd. Both sides occupy the bottom two places on the table, so would have seen this as a good opportunity to put some daylight between one another with Glenfield the beneficiary of today’s result.

Glenfield 37

Eden 17