Suburbs are one step closer to another piece of silverware as their 38-21 victory over Waitemata sees them progress to the Waka Nathan Challenge Cup final.

They trailed the home team 12-21 late in the third quarter but four unanswered tries in a dominant final spell secured the result.

Not surprisingly, Lolagi Visinia showed his class throughout and will be a dangerous attacking weapon for Suburbs this season.

It was a slow start to the match, with both teams guilty of poor handling in the early exchanges which thwarted any potential attacking chances.

It wasn’t until late in the first quarter that Suburbs opened the scoring.

Visinia gave his team front foot ball after cutting through the midfield defence from his left wing position. From there, Pisi Leilua showed his footwork before offloading to Rameka Paraki who put James Mafi away for the try.

Captain Carl Perry converted for the 7 nil advantage. 

Filo Lepou had the chance to put Waitemata on the scoreboard with a penalty as the last play of the first quarter but his attempt fell clear.

Leilua was involved again in setting up Suburbs second try. The movement started deep inside Suburbs’ half and was finished off by Visinia. 

Despite the 12-0 scoreline it certainly wasn’t one way traffic. Waitemata showed patience and determination and were rewarded with a try to Moape Qiolevu on the stroke of half time.

Lepou nailed the sideline conversion, Suburbs holding a 12-7 lead at the break.

Whatever coaches Rory Lord and Dan Morath said at half time, it did the trick, as Waitemata came out and dominated the third quarter.

In particular Qiolevu and Faleniu Iosi continually threatened the Suburbs defence, Iosi going in for two tries to put Waitemata in the lead 21-12. 

Suburbs had the last say of the quarter, with Sebastian Visinia dancing through the defence and going in under the posts.

The final quarter was dominated by the defending Gallaher Shield champions. Jona Sawailau nabbed two tries in as many minutes, while reserve halfback Zac King scored right on full time to secure the 38-21 victory.

Suburbs will face Ponsonby in the Waka Nathan Challenge Cup final next weekend, Ponsonby beating Papatoetoe in the other semi final 36-29.

Eden and East Tamaki will face off in the Pollard Cup final after respectively wins in their semi finals.

Waka Nathan Semi Finals
Suburbs 38 (J Sawailau 2, J Mafi, L Visinia, S Visinia, Z King, C Perry 4 con)
Waitemata 21 (F Iosi 2, M Qiolevu tries, F Lepou 3 con)

Ponsonby 36 - Papatoetoe 29

Pollard Cup Semi Finals
Eden 31 - University 14
East Tamaki 21 - Waitakere City 19