Alan McEvoy

Suburbs v Pakuranga

Suburbs have given themselves a real chance of sneaking into the Top 4 after today’s victory over Pakuranga at home. The absence of Captain and first-five Carl Perry could of hurt Suburbs severely today, but a collective team effort saw them finish over the top of a Pakuranag side who will now have to be content with a Bottom 4 finish in the Alan McEvoy competition.

Suburbs 26 (L Schwencke, P Cowley, E Lindenmuth, G Maka tries, P Cowley 3 conv)

Pakuranga 14 (M McBeath, S Shearer tries, H Ahokovi 2 conv) Halftime: 14 - 7

Waitemata v Ponsonby

Truly a game of two halves today and it will be the home side Waitemata that has to be disappointed in allowing Ponsonby back into the match. Waitemata held what seemed to be a comfortable 18-0 lead at the break but were mowed down by a more than determined Ponies side. Today’s result has hampered Waitemata’s chances of a Top 4 spot while Ponsonby retain the top spot heading into the final week of the regular season.

Ponsonby 18 (W Talataina-Mu, N Mataia, M Siliko tries, W Talataina-Mu pen)

Waitemata 18 (A Choat, F Vakauta tries, J Matautia conv, J Matautia 2 pen) Halftime: 0 - 18

Grammar TEC v University

The inaugural challenge for the Sir John Graham Cup took place today at Orakei. It was a befitting spectacle with a game of two halves played out between Grammar TEC and University. The home side were comfortable in the first half, heading into the sheds with a 10-point lead. It was however, the defending champions who were able to turn it around in the second stanza to fight back and grind out a hard-fought victory late-on.

University 22 (T Te Puni, A Ripata, N Harris tries, P Manuel-Harman, T Latu conv, T Latu pen)

Grammar TEC 20 (K Hifo, N Foliaki tries, H Plummer 2 conv, H Plummer 2 pen) Halftime: 7 - 17

College Rifles v Eden

College Rifles have surrendered the Sir Fred Allen Challenge Cup to a more than deserving Eden side today. Trailing by 13 points at the break, the home side were always going to be facing an uphill battle in the second spell and Eden were in no mood to give them an opening with Jacob Umaga providing a clinical touch from the boot to ensure the away side came away with a valuable victory.

Eden 29 (D Liaina 2 tries, J Umaga 2 conv, J Umaga 5 pen)

College Rifles 21 (L Loco, T Manu, I Manu tries, A Tuia 3 conv) Halftime: 13 - 0

Portola

Mt Wellington v Marist

Marist were clinical, accurate and dominant in today’s match with Mount Wellington at home. Leading by 24 points at the half, Marist kicked-on in the second spell to more than double their advantage. This would have been a disappointing result for Mount Wellington after having shown positive signs in recent weeks. Marist will look to kick-on now as they eye up the semi-finals of the Portola competition.

Marist 57 (H Sotutu 2, PC Tagaloa, H Kapsin, A Tevita, M Filiga 2, S Sione, R Ipiniu tries, M Filiga 6 conv)

Mt Wellington 0 Halftime: 24 - 0

Manukau Rovers v East Tamaki

Manukau proved too clinical at home today against an East Tamaki side who seemed to be hitting their straps in recent weeks. The home side had too much class out wide however, with the likes of Stacey Ili proving to be a constant threat in the midfield, allowing for consistent go-forward ball that Manukau were only too happy to capitalise upon.

Manukau 31 (M Martha, S Ili, B Motuliki, S Pua tries, S Hafoka 4 conv, S Hafoka pen)

East Tamaki 15 (O Williams, O Faafou tries, T Iosua conv, T Iosua pen) Halftime: 10 - 10

Otahuhu v Waitakere

Otahuhu must of been dreaming of a comfortable victory as the whistle blew for halftime in today’s match-up with Waitakere. The away side had other ideas however and made up for their narrow loss at home to Otahuhu earlier in the year by clawing their way back for a dramatic victory.

Waitakere 19 (J Rimoni, N Waqanisau, A Savea tries, E Fidow 2 conv)

Otahuhu 18 (L Tiatia 2 tries, S Paulo Tialavea Morris conv, S Paulo Tialavea Morris 2 pen) Halftime: 0 - 18

Te Papapa v Papatoetoe

Te Papapa provided a real challenge for the runaway Portola leaders in today’s match-up at Fergusson Park. Leading by only 5 points at the break, Papatoetoe were able to pull away late on in the piece to ensure they maintain top spot and leave Te Papapa ruing what may seem like a missed opportunity.

Papatoetoe 29 (S Loamanu, M Pauta, V Lolohea, F Havili, A Samoa tries, D Leuila 2 conv)

Te Papapa 17 (H Peaua, U Fakakovikaetau tries, S Mafi 2 conv, U Kakakovikaetau pen) Halftime: 12 – 7

Premier Women

East Coast Bays v Marist

Marist were in cruise-control for much of today’s game against East Coast Bays. The home side was unable to match the intensity and accuracy of the reigning premiers who bounced back to winning ways quickly after a tough draw last weekend against the Thunderbirds.

East Coast Bays 15

Marist 51

Manurewa v College Rifles

A draw last week and one-point victory over Manurewa today has shown that College Rifles are going to be pushed all they way this season if they’re to reclaim the title in 2018. This was a match that took all the guile and experience of the Thunderbirds to emerge as winners away from home against a determined Manurewa side.

Manurewa 10

College Rifles 11

Ponsonby v Glenfield

Ponsonby followed-up last weeks victory over Ardmore Marist with a more a comfortable victory over an outplayed Glenfield side. The Fillies are starting to hit their stride come the end of the season and have been able to showcase the real talent within the team. They’ll be a side no one wants to come up against in the coming weeks on the back of recent form.

Ponsonby 63

Glenfield 5

Ardmore Marist v Eden

Eden showed some true fight today against one of the competition’s contenders in 2018. It has been an up and down season for the amber and blacks, but today showed that they are able to compete at this level as they have done on numerous occasions throughout the season. Ardmore however, were too good today and will look to use this victory as a springboard heading into the pointy end of the competition.

Ardmore Marist 31

Eden 14