The Ponsonby Premier side has finished as the top side on the points table after the first round competition following their 61-7 defeat of Waitakere City last Saturday afternoon. Played on the main ground at the Western Springs Stadium Ponsonby scored nine tries, and whilst this performance was not always vintage rugby, they will be satisfied with their overall achievements in the year to date.  

In the seven games of this qualifying competition Ponsonby amassed an impressive 384 points, scoring 58 tries, plus one penalty try. Significantly, of the total points scored in this first round, only nine points came from penalty goals. Additionally in this round they boast a remarkable defensive record, conceding 104 points, including 13 tries.

Against Waitakere City the first points came in the second minute. From an attacking scrum 25 metres from the visitors line play went right with a nifty run by Rilloy Suesue, coupled with support from Freedom Vaha’akolo, then Noah Mataia found himself in space, crossing for the opening try.

For the second consecutive week, Ponsonby were dominant over the West Aucklanders in the scrums. The first penalty in the match went the way of the blue and blacks after they decimated a Waitakere City scrum. The ensuing penalty was kicked to touch, and from the resulting lineout the forwards initiated a rolling maul. The ball was recycled and Tili Puloka eluded two would-be tacklers on his burst to the line.

Jonah Mau’u continues to impress in every appearance, and from number eight he scored Ponsonby’s third try, beneath the posts from a five metre attacking scrum. Rocky Khan added the extra two points and the home side had raced out to a 19-0 lead after 17 minutes.

From this point two tries came in rapid succession. Ponsonby’s fourth, and bonus point try, was scored following a break-out from the their 22 metre area. Paul Roache initiated the move, which included a wonderful break by William Talataina-Mu, plus a deft pass, which put Suesue into space for a 50 metre sprint to the line.

From the restart Ponsonby again went into attack mode. Another lengthy move resulted, and included some more Talataina-Mu magic, which then freed Sam Ulufonua who scored the fifth try.

Vaha’akolo was influential from fullback and was beginning to threaten the visitors with his elusive pace. Talataina-Mu again featured in a move where the team constructed several phases, and was finished by Vaha’akolo who seemed to glide through a yawning gap on his canter to the line. Khan converted, extending Ponsonby’s lead to 40-0.

In the second half expectations were that the floodgates would open for Ponsonby, but Waitakere City had other ideas. The blue and blacks found themselves having to weather a storm from West Auckland for the opening four minutes, which paid dividends for the visitors as they were able to exploit the Ponsonby defensive line and scored a seven pointer.

The resistance from Waitakere City continued through the second spell as they successfully starved Ponsonby of possession, and disrupted their game plan.

In the 53rd minute Ponsonby did manage to string some positive phases together and after a splendid build up, and a barnstorming Mau’u run, Khan finished off with his sublime sevens skills dotting down under the posts.

Alex Matapo had put in a stellar performance in the front row, and his efforts were rewarded with a try in the 60th minute.

Three minutes later Ponsonby were awarded a penalty ten metres inside the visitors half, and replacement halfback Danny Tusitala spied a golden opportunity to capitalise. Waitakere City were caught napping, as Tusitala took a quick tap and scampered 40 metres to the tryline.

The remainder of the half became a dour affair as Waitakere City prevented Ponsonby from playing their typical entertaining game.

The Ponsonby Premiers now progress to the eight team/seven round Alan McEvoy Championship round which commences next Saturday and runs until the 6th of July. In this round Ponsonby will square off against Pakuranga, College Rifles, Papatoetoe, Eden, Grammar TEC, Marist and Waitemata.

Ponsonby 61

Tries: Rilloy Suesue, Jonah Mau’u, Sam Ulufonua, Rocky Khan, Tili Puloka, Noah Mataia, Alex Matapo, Danny Tusitala and Freedom Vaha’akolo

Conversions: Rocky Khan 4, William Talataina-Mu 3, John Cooper.

Article added: Wednesday 22 May 2019