It’s finals time with winner takes all games across the board. The Gallaher Shield semi-finals sees Ponsonby up against Grammar TEC and Eden hosting Marist at Gribblehirst Park. For the Coleman Shield, Marist have Auckland rivals Ponsonby Fillies coming to their house, while the best of Counties Manukau, Manurewa, will take on perennial powerhouses, College Rifles.

Ponsonby and Grammar TEC came together for the second time in three weeks, this time with a spot in the Gallaher Shield Final at stake. Once again, the Ponies got off to a fast start and were able to maintain their cushion right up until halftime with a 19-3 lead at the break. Grammar TEC came back strongly in the second half, but were unable to rein in the defending champions, with Ponsonby now off to Eden Park next week after their 25-15 victory today.

Ponsonby’s opponents next week will be Marist who saw off a determined Eden side in today’s other Gallaher Shield semi-final. Eden, who were playing host, were unable to score a single point in the second half, and so, allowed Marist to come from behind in the closing stanza. Marist showed they were able to orchestrate a complete 80-minute performance and earn the right to contest for the main prize next weekend.

College Rifles was able to topple Papatoetoe at home in the Jubilee Trophy semi-final. Despite trailing at halftime, the hosts proved to have just enough grit and determination to claw their way back in front and hold off a desperate Papatoetoe side in the process.

The Riflemen will host Waitemata next week after the West Auckland side’s dominant performance over Pakuranga today. Waitemata showed far greater discipline and commitment to the cause in today’s fixture which will now see them challenge for the 2019 Jubilee Trophy.

University and Suburbs will meet in the Portola Trophy final after dismissing their respective opponents, Te Papapa and Mt Wellington today. The students proved too much to handle with plenty of firepower to call upon throughout the course of the match. It was a tougher assignment early on for Suburbs against Mt Wellington. The home side however, were able to pull through in the second spell and confirm a date with University next week.

Manukau will come up against Otahuhu in the President’s Cup final after overcoming the challenge of Waitakere this afternoon. The match wasn’t without its challenges for the home side with Waitakere putting up plenty of fight early-on before succumbing. Manukau will enter as favourites for next week’s final against South Auckland neighbours Otahuhu.

The Coleman Shield final will see Marist take on College Rifles at Eden Park next weekend in a repeat of the 2018 affair. Both sides were forced to dig deep against their respective opponents, Ponsonby and Manurewa, today, but their experience in finals football shone through. Complete 80-minute performances from both sides and crucial plays at key moments will see the perennial powerhouses go toe-to-toe on the hallowed turf next Saturday.

Premier Men’s & Women’s Semi-Finals – Saturday 13 July 2019

Gallaher Shield

Ponsonby 25 (A Dabek, P Roache, F Vaha’Akolo tries, J Cooper 2 conv, J Cooper pen, R Khan drop goal)

Grammar TEC 15 (N Foliaki, H Plummer tries, M Storm conv, M Storm pen) Halftime 19 – 3

Marist 19 (S Kata, S Masoe, L Mocevakaca tries, O Polson 2 conv)

Eden 8 (B Hill try, C Morgan pen) Halftime 7 – 8

Jubilee Trophy

College Rifles 36 (J Collins, E Lamositele, W Scott, C Suafoa, S Tofilau, S Way tries, J Collins 3 conv)

Papatoetoe 32 (R Paraki 2, M Pauta, S Silipa tries D Leuila 3 conv, D Leuila 2 pen) Halftime 12 – 13

Waitemata 55 (F Gabreil, J Matautia 4, C Moors 2, J Simi tries, J Matautia 6 conv, J Matautia pen)

Pakuranga 10 (F Paea, M Dickison tries) Halftime 22 – 5

Portola Trophy

University 66 (J Neary, B Helleur 2, H Scott, G Emosi 2, S Afoa, D Kirkpatrick, F Fakaosi, H Miller tries, H Miller 8 conv)

Te Papapa 13 (O Katoa try, E Fifita conv, T Katoa, S Vea pen) Halftime 35 – 6

Suburbs 34 (C Clarke, E Nisbett, M Palea, D Silivelio, B Tuivai 2 tries, Z King, B Moyer conv)

Mt Wellington 18 (H Peaua 2 tries, A Tapili conv, A Tapili 2 pen) Halftime 10 – 6

Presidents Cup

Manukau 50 (S Kaulave, P Mohi, J Pelesasa, L Taufoou 2, T Tia, T Tonga, S Tongotongo tries, S Paulo-Tialavea-Morris 5 conv)

Waitakere 10 (P Tui try, T Tamenari conv, T Tamenari pen) Halftime 28 – 10

Otahuhu (WBD v East Tamaki (DEF)

Premier Women’s: Coleman Shield – Semi Finals

College Rifles 22 v Manurewa 15

Marist 31 v Ponsonby 24