, ,

RAFFLE PRIZE WINNERS

, ,

We are pleased to announce the winning numbers for the 2016 Ponsonby Rugby Junior Raffle.  All winners have been notified.

We would like to send out a huge thank our sponsors below for providing the great prizes.   This is Ponsonby Rugby Club's only major fundraising event for the year and we would not have the great club we do without the all the team and whanau efforts buying and selling of the tickets - thank you all.

 NOTE: Raffle rebates will be paid out to teams as soon as possible.  Managers will be contacted when they are ready.

08473 – Trip to Queenstown

10399 – NSG Sports High Performance Rugby Training Session

02890 – Sky City

06798 – Thread Design

09840 – Snapper Rock

12631 – 1 Above

03124 – Q Wine

12628 – Deco Eatery Titirangi – 3 Course Dinner

06643 – Deco Eatery Bodrum Kitchen, Brickworks New Lynn

08469 – Table Heater

07922 – Canterbury Pack

03060 – 3 Wise Men

06290 – Red Wine Package, courtesy of Deco Eatery

08017 – Pack, courtesy of Deco Eatery

 

,

PREMIERS ENDURE HEARTBREAKING LOSS TO PAPATOETOE

,

At Western Springs Stadium on Saturday afternoon the Ponsonby Premiers nine match winning streak came to an end when they fell to their Papatoetoe opposites by 32-22. The result also saw the Sir Fred Allen Challenge Cup awarded to the visitors.

The loss sees Ponsonby sitting in third place on the competition table on 13 points, with matches to play against Marist, Suburbs and College Rifles, the intensity and pressure will now increase for the blue and blacks to be amongst the all-important top four qualifiers.

Signs were ominous right from the start when Papatoetoe stole Ponsonby’s first two lineout throws, both from penalty’s which had been drilled to touch. Papatoetoe showed that they were here to play some serious rugby.

The third penalty in the match however was also awarded to Ponsonby, and this was within range of the goalposts. William Talataina-Mu duly slotted the kick between the uprights.

The first try in the game was also recorded to Ponsonby. From an attacking scrum on the visitors ten metre mark play went to Morrison Siliko who burst into the line from the left wing, and Charlie Hubert chimed in from fullback, play going wide to Joe Beckett who raced to the right hand corner. Talataina-Mu added a magnificent conversion from the touchline.

In the last ten minutes of the half Papatoetoe scored two excellent tries, the first came when they caught the Ponsonby defence unaware and the second when they were able to capitalise on some wrong option taking by the blue and blacks.

The visitors then rounded of the half with a penalty goal, seeing them go to the break ahead by 15-10.

Papatoetoe scored the opening try in the second half, when they were able to stroll through some average Ponsonby defence, the try being scored in the left hand corner, but not being converted.

Ponsonby struck back almost immediately.  A good run by Charlie Hubert resulted in Marco Fepuleai crossing for a try, which brought Ponsonby back to within five points of the visitors at 20-15.

Papatoetoe were showing signs of confidence and were forcing Ponsonby into many uncharacteristic errors, and were winning turnovers with considerable ease.

The visitors crossed for their fourth try in the 49th minute, once again giving them a ten point advantage.

Ponsonby toiled away, but were struggling to break the Papatoetoe defensive line.

Eventually an opportunity came. In the 64th minute Ponsonby had a scrum feed five metres from the visitors line, and a simple move involving Presley Tufuga and Laki Tiatia allowed Morrison Siliko to cross for the try which was converted by Talataina-Mu.

Down by 25-22, Ponsonby continued to search for the win, and with two minutes remaining on the clock they had a golden opportunity. On attack, with an overlap and just metres from the visitors line a long cut out pass was intercepted by the Papatoetoe fullback who had the gas to race 97 metres to the other end for a try, which was converted.

Jubilation for Papatoetoe, and heartbreak for Ponsonby.

In the curtain raiser on the main ground at Western Springs Stadium between the Ponsonby Under 21’s and their Grammar-Tec opposites, a late penalty try saw victory go to Grammar-Tec by 23-22.

However the day was not all doom and gloom for Ponsonby. The Premier Reserves continued their winning ways with a resounding 52-5 win over their Papatoetoe opposites, Ponsonby scoring eight tries.

Played on the outer field at Western Springs the two sides endured some of the worst weather conditions in the first half seen in Auckland on a Saturday afternoon for many years. Despite the pitch being soft and slippery, Ponsonby were magnificent in most facets of the game.

Ponsonby will now focus on their fifth round match of the competition which is to be played against Marist on their home ground in Panmure next Saturday afternoon. After four rounds Marist are still in search of their first victory. To date, they have drawn with Waitemata, and lost to Suburbs, Grammar-Tec and Pakuranga. In the most recent round they lost to Pakuranga by 30-22, the loss leaving them languishing at the tail of the competition table on three points.

 

Ponsonby v Papatoetoe 25 June 2016

With the halfway point in the Alan McEvoy Memorial Trophy competition approaching, many will now be analysing which teams might potentially finish as the top four qualifiers, and then progress to the Gallaher Shield playoffs. Ponsonby currently sit in second place on the ladder, one point behind the leading team – Suburbs. Ponsonby are at home this weekend, in this the fourth round of the competition, hosting Papatoetoe who are sitting at the bottom of the table and are still searching for their first win in this section of the season.  

Papatoetoe have had a mixed season to date, and from the ten matches played in 2016 they have recorded four wins, a draw and five losses.

Ponsonby will be brimming with confidence after their emphatic 41-23 victory over Waitemata last week, whilst Papatoetoe will be licking their wounds after being on the receiving end of an eight try, 44-5 trouncing by Pakuranga.

Ponsonby last played Papatoetoe on the 25th of July 2015 in the final of the Portola Trophy. In this match Ponsonby put in one of their best performances of that season to beat Papatoetoe by 27-21. The two sides had met just two weeks earlier in the last round of the Alan McEvoy competition, Ponsonby coming from behind to lead Papatoetoe by 31-30 in the final ten minutes, only to see their advantage be overtaken and then lose by 38-31.

This week’s starting XV features a few changes from the side that performed so well against Waitemata. Alex Matapo, Romero Tagi and Anthony Diack return to the pack, together with the experienced Ben Bacon. The bench includes the powerful Josh Hawkins and the Premier centurion, Mark Ama who have been promoted from the Ponsonby Premier Reserves.

The Premiers feature on the main ground at Western Springs Stadium at 2.45pm, whilst the unbeaten Premier Reserves play on the Western Springs Outer field, kicking off at 1.00pm.

 PONSONBY:                                                                                                                                                       

1.  Alex Matapo; 2. Willie Uili; 3. Marco Fepu’leai; 4. Leo Ngahe; 5. Ben Bacon;  6. Anthony Diack; 7. Willis Hopwood; 8. Presley Tufuga;                9. Campbell Woodmass; 10.William Talataina-Mu;  11. Morrison Siliko; 12. Pat Tausie; 13. Pryor Collier; 14. Joe Beckett; 15. Charlie Hubert              16. Junior Halafuka; 17. Steven Savali; 18. Josh Hawkins; 19. Chanel Vito; 20. Laki Tiatia;  21. Mark Ama; 22. Robert Sanele/Chico Huch

 

 

,

Game Fixtures - 24/25 June 2016

,

Friday 24th June  ******FRIDAY NIGHT GAME CANCELLED - FIELD CLOSED DUE TO WEATHER*******
Saturday 25th June                
Premiers    vs.    Papatoetoe                  Western Springs  Stadium 1    14:45
Reserves    vs.    Papatoetoe                  Western Springs Outer 1         13:00
U21's    vs.    Grammar TEC                     Western Springs  Stadium 1    13:00
U20's    vs.    Grammar TEC                    Western Springs Outer 1         14:45
Fillies    vs.    Rifles Thunderbirds          College Rifles  2                        13:00
EP's    vs.    Waitemata                             Waitemata 1                              14:45
Blue    vs.    Te Papapa Daily Freight     Fergusson Park 1                     14:45
Hustlers    vs.    Marist OB                        War Memorial Park 3              14:45
Falcons    vs.    Papatoetoe                      Papatoetoe 1                            14:45
Legions    vs.    Waitemata Winos          Cox's Bay Reserve 3                14:45

Puritans    vs.    Waitemata Buffalos      Cox's Bay2                                14:45

 

 

,

PONSONBY SUPERB IN VICTORY OVER WAITEMATA

,

The Ponsonby Premiers recorded an outstanding 41-23 victory over Waitemata on Saturday afternoon, scoring seven tries in the match, and having their line crossed only twice. Ponsonby earn five valuable competition points, and now have three wins from three in the Alan McEvoy Memorial Trophy round, propelling them to second place on the points table. This win was Ponsonby’s first over Waitemata since 2013, and accordingly the Anton Begovich Memorial Cup returns to the Western Springs clubrooms.

The victory over Waitemata was extremely satisfying, and it was not just an ordinary win – this was an outstanding win, and it was the way in which the victory was achieved.  All 22 players in the match day squad contributed to this outstanding performance, one that left the Waitemata players and management, and its supporters, astonished, at the skills and athleticism of this young side. Ponsonby were exceptional on attack, and merciless on defence.

The match was the 40th and blazer game of the unprecedented Pryor Collier, and he celebrated the occasion in style crossing for a hat trick of tries in the match. The 22 year old has achieved his blazer in just three seasons, and has been an automatic selection in the Premier side since 2014.

It was appropriate that it was Collier who opened the scoring in the match, in what would become a high scoring and pulsating first half. Collier scored the first try of the match in just the third minute when Ponsonby had a golden opportunity to capitalise on a wonderful position in Waitemata’s territory. A Ponsonby throw to the lineout just 22 metres out from the home side line was cleanly tapped down by Presley Tufuga, and a beautiful half break by William Talataina-Mu allowed Collier then burst through to score beneath the posts.

Waitemata responded with two penalty goals in quick succession to their ace goal kicker Karl Siemsen. Then it was Siemsen that was on the end of a classic backline move, scoring in the left hand corner. He then converted his own try, extending the Waitemata lead to 13-7.

 Ponsonby responded almost straight away. Pryor Collier intercepted a stray Waitemata pass, and raced the 50 metres to the try line, cleverly staying away from the opposition defenders. Talataina-Mu converted, the lead going back the way of Ponsonby at 14-13.

Ponsonby’s lead on the scoreboard was short-lived, Siemsen adding his third penalty goal of the match, taking his side to 16-14.

The subsequent restart was claimed by Waitemata, and they went back onto the attack. But Pryor Collier was proving to be a handful to the opposition, forcing a vital turnover, and with good support play went close to the home-side line.  A deft crossfield kick from the masterful Talataina-Mu fell neatly for Joe Beckett to claim, and fall over the line for a brilliant try. The conversion was short, but the lead was back the way of Ponsonby at 19-16.

Five minutes from the halftime break, Talataina-Mu attempted a long range penalty goal, the kick falling short. The Waitemata restart fell neatly for Ponsonby. Play then went down the right hand touch, including a magnificent turn of speed and a crafty dummy by Willie Uili, and replacement back Pat Tausie burst to the corner for Ponsonby’s fourth, and bonus point try.

In the dying moments of the half Waitemata looked to reclaim the lead on the scoreboard, but their efforts were thwarted. A loose ball was nabbed by Willis Hopwood, the flanker feeding possession to the backs. Talataina-Mu ran down the right hand touch toward Waitemata’s territory, then off-loading to Joe Beckett who had the pace and expertise to step away from the opposing defenders, crossing for his second try.

Ponsonby went to the break ahead by 29-16, and were looking dangerous with the ball in hand.

Waitemata were first to score in the second spell, the fullback Sam Aolele crossing in the 5th minute of the half, which Siemsen converted.

Soon after Ponsonby were awarded a penalty on the halfway mark, which Talataina-Mu drilled to touch. The ensuing lineout was won by Presley Tufuga, play then going through the backline, Charlie Hubert scything through the opposition defence for the try.

The restart by Waitemata was claimed by the hard working Willis Hopwood, who then freed Talataina-Mu. After some outstanding work by Sam Slade and Anthony Diack, the Ponsonby backs exploited the opposition defence, and Collier raced in for his third try of the match. Talataina-Mu added the extra two points, taking the lead to 41-23.

Ponsonby were able to hold out Waitemata in the second spell, producing a massive defensive effort and spoiling several possible attempts at the blue and black line and sealing the emphatic victory.

The Ponsonby Premier Reserves continued their unbeaten run in 2016 with their solid 24-14 win over Waitemata in the curtain-raiser match on Saturday afternoon. Ponsonby scored two tries in the first half, the first to Josh Hawkins, and the second to Junior Cagiceva, both being converted by Chico Huch. Waitemata scored two tries in the second spell, but another try to Cagiceva and a Willie Gibbons penalty secured the win for Ponsonby.

Ponsonby will now look ahead to their fourth round assignment, against Papatoetoe, due to be played at Western Springs stadium next Saturday afternoon. The Fred Allen Challenge Cup will again be on the line. Papatoetoe will be reeling after their 44-5 loss at the hands of Pakuranga in the last round, and they are still looking for their first win in this competition. This latest loss will make their chances of being amongst the all-important top four finalists in the competition somewhat tougher so they will be desperate for a win next week.  

PONSONBY PREMIERS: 41

Tries: Pryor Collier 3, Joe Beckett 2, Pat Tausie and Charlie Hubert

Conversions: William Talataina-Mu 3

PONSONBY PREMIER RESERVES: 24

Tries: Junior Cagiaceva 2, Josh Hawkins

Conversions: Chico Huch 2, Willie Gibbons

Penalty: Willie Gibbons

 

 

,

Premiers v Waitemata 18 June 2016

,

Ponsonby head into the 3rd round of the Alan McEvoy Memorial Trophy competition on Saturday afternoon facing Waitemata on their turf in Henderson.

The blue and blacks should be confident after their gutsy 18-9 over a dogged Pakuranga side last Saturday, a match in which Ponsonby had to dig deep in the second half to overcome a resurgent opposition.

Waitemata on the other hand will start this Saturday’s match somewhat bruised and battered after a 27-all draw against Marist, a late try being required by the west Auckland side to salvage the draw.

This match will be the first time that Ponsonby and Waitemata have done battle in 2016. Ponsonby played Waitemata twice in 2015, the west Auckland side emerged with the bragging rights on both occasions, and in 2014 Waitemata also took the victory in round robin play. Unfortunately one needs to look back to the 15th of June 2013 to find the last time that Ponsonby had a win over their nemesis.

The Anton Begovich Memorial Trophy will be at stake in this match, a trophy that Ponsonby would dearly like to see back at Western Springs. The blue and blacks won the trophy in its inaugural season (2013), but it has resided at Waitemata’s Sturges Rd clubrooms since 2014. The trophy was donated by Ponsonby’s Dennis Mansfield in acknowledgement of the hard work and tremendous support given by Anton to both the Waitemata and Ponsonby clubs.

Since the first round of play back on the 16th of April, Waitemata have registered six wins, two losses and a draw. They have scored 35 tries, and have conceded a staggering 28. Ponsonby, by comparison, have scored 33 tries, whilst having their line crossed on only 13 occasions.

Ponsonby start this match with a handful of changes to the XV that started last week against Pakuranga. Sensational outside back Freedom Vaha’akolo has been called up for Auckland Seven’s duty, and his place in the starting XV goes to Morrison Siliko, who impressed off the bench last week. Charlie Hubert returns to the fullback position after missing last week’s match.

The match marks the 40th and blazer game of the exceptional Pryor Collier.

The Premiers feature on the main ground at Waitemata at 2.45pm, whilst the unbeaten Premier Reserves play in the curtain-raiser, kicking off at 1.00pm.

 PONSONBY:

1.  Junior Halafuka; 2. Willie Uili; 3. Marco Fepu’leai; 4. Leo Ngahe; 5. Jamie Lane; 6. Sam Slade;  7. Willis Hopwood; 8. Presley Tufuga; 9. Campbell Woodmass; 10.William Talataina-Mu;              11. Morrison Siliko; 12. Keenan Masina; 13. Pryor Collier; 14. Morrison Siliko; 15. Charlie Hubert

16. Alex Matapo; 17. Steven Savali; 18. Anthony Diack; 19. Chanel Vito; 20. Laki Tiatia; 21. Pat Tausie; 22. Robert Sanele

,

Premier Reserves in stunning form against Pakuranga

,

The remarkable achievements of this tremendous side should not go un-noticed. The Ponsonby Premier Reserves continued their unbeaten run and their outstanding form in 2016, when they played a thoroughly entertaining match on Saturday afternoon against their Pakuranga opposites.

Ponsonby won this match by 27-15 after leading by 22-3 at halftime, scoring four tries in the match.

So many players in the game could be singled out for ‘man of the match’ honours, but this side achieves as a united team.   On Saturday the spectators were treated to a gutsy performance, where commitment was the order of the day.  Every man in the match day squad showed the true meaning of ‘no ezy pony’, and how important the blue and black jersey is to him.

Those on hand were treated to ruthless tackling by loose forwards Ji Young Lee, Josh Hawkins and Willis Hopwood,  barnstorming running by hooker Herman Huch, lineout dominance from Ben Bacon and Josh McCombie, coupled with committed running out wide from Doug Halley, Dan Willemsen, Joel Joshi-Smith and Rob Sanele. But the man that was a constant thorn in the side of Pakuranga was the evergreen Roger Tuamoheloa.  The veteran halfback was exceptional from the base of the rucks and the scrums, having a significant hand in all four of Ponsonby’s tries, including crossing for one of his own. But it was the sniping runs at crucial times that frustrated the Pakuranga side, using his immense experience and skill to create opportunities for his side to completely dominate proceedings.   

Ponsonby started the match with a hiss and a roar, gaining major ground using the ‘pick and go’ method, a practise which this side does extremely well.

The first try of the match came early, after Roger Tuamoheloa had provided the momentum from the base of a scrum, play going close, and after an exchange of possession and a lineout, Josh Hawkins barged over. Rob Sanele converted, and Ponsonby had a handy 7-0 lead.

Pakuranga goaled a penalty in the tenth minute, their only points scoring of the half.

Sadly, following this penalty was a lengthy injury break, when Ponsonby lock Niall Cavanagh was stretchered from the field sustaining a nasty ankle break.

Following this unscheduled stoppage Ponsonby had a lineout feed some 20 metres out from the visitors line. With possession secured, the blue and black pack drove forward. Tuamoheloa then went right, creating a neat little gap, and then offloading to the supporting Ji Young Lee to charge to the corner for a splendid try.

The conversion of the Ji Young Lee try by Rob Sanele was unsuccessful, but he did goal a penalty midway through the spell, advancing Ponsonby’s lead to 15-3.

Pakuranga were becoming increasingly frustrated at Ponsonby’s dominance in the match, and resorted to ugly tactics. In one resulting melee ten minutes out from halftime, Rob Sanele found himself being shown a yellow card. Being down to 14 men intensified the commitment from Ponsonby. The more that Pakuranga endeavoured to attack, the greater the Ponsonby defence. The blue and blacks tackled as though their lives depended on it, and they proudly defended their line during this ten minute period, not conceding a solitary point.

Just short of the halftime break, Ponsonby fed an attacking scrum 30 metres away from the visitor’s line. From the scrum base Tuamoheloa ran right, making tremendous ground, and raced untouched to the line, scoring out wide. Chico Huch converted from the sideline, stretching the lead to 22-3.

Ten minutes into the second spell, Ponsonby had a scrum feed away 15 metres away from the Pakuranga line. Tuamoheloa again took off on one of his sniping runs, drawing several defenders and a metre out from the line he popped a deft pass to the supporting Joel Joshi-Smith to dot down in the corner.

With Ponsonby’s lead now 27-3, their commitment to defence continued, but Pakuranga did not give up their resolve. After several minutes of chipping away and building, the visitors eventually found a way through and in the 64th minute they crossed for the first of their two tries.

Pakuranga crossed again in the 69th minute, and sensed a late comeback, but Ponsonby were not going to condone this.

A late rally by Ponsonby did not come to fruition, and they closed out the match at 27-15 in what must be described as an emphatic victory. Ponsonby had put in a gutsy performance against a very physical and determined Pakuranga side.

PONSONBY: 27

Tries: Josh Hawkins, Ji Young Lee, Roger Tuamoheloa and Joel Joshi-Smith

Penalty: Rob Sanele

Conversions: Rob Sanele and Chico Huch

 

,

PONSONBY WIN THRILLER AGAINST PAKURANGA

,

The Ponsonby Premier side produced a clinical display against their Pakuranga opposites last Saturday afternoon at Western Springs Stadium, despatching the visiting side by 18-9 after the blue and blacks had trailed by 6-3 at the halftime break.

Ponsonby claimed four valuable competition points from the fixture, and have registered two wins from two outings in the Alan McEvoy Memorial Trophy round, plus have now gone undefeated for eight consecutive games in 2016.

The win also ensures that the Fred Allen Challenge Cup will reside at the Western Springs clubrooms for at least two more weeks.

This match marked the 40th and blazer game of outstanding prop Alex Matapo, and he was given the celebrated honour of leading the Ponsonby Premier team onto the ground.

Ponsonby spent the first three minutes of the match on attack and were extremely unlucky not to cross the chalk at this time. However Pakuranga realised the pending danger, and as Ponsonby came agonisingly close to scoring, the visitors decided that it was safer to give away a penalty and conceivably concede three points, rather than see a possible seven points on the scoreboard. Ponsonby’s William Talataina-Mu then goaled the resulting penalty from the handy position.

Pakuranga added a penalty of their own in the ninth minute, levelling the scores at 3-3.

At the 18th minute mark in the match, Ponsonby’s captain Waha Waitohi was sinbinned, which could easily have been a defining point in the game. Waitohi was penalised for an offence just short of the Ponsonby line and Pakuranga goaled the resulting penalty, giving them a 6-3 lead.

Fortunately the Ponsonby defence was sound, and they only conceded these three points whilst they were a man short on the field.

For much of remaining minutes in the half Ponsonby found that their Pakuranga opposites were offside, without punishment.

In the 27th minute, the vigilant Talataina-Mu spied a golden opportunity to capitalise on the offside play. With the opposition up close, he sold a superb dummy, and with no-one ahead he set sail into open space.  A solitary defender appeared from nowhere, so Talataina-Mu floated a pass to his left to the unmarked Pryor Collier to run in for the try, but alas the pass was judged to be forward, so the try was not awarded.

Ponsonby went to the break down by 6-3. The first half had promised a lot, but after a titanic tussle neither side had been able to gain any significant ascendency.

Pakuranga started the second spell as Ponsonby had started the first, spending several minutes on attack. But rather than hope for a penalty to be awarded, Pakuranga opted for a drop goal, the kick sailing away, and possession being gifted back to Ponsonby.

Pakuranga did however succeed with a penalty goal in the 54th minute, stretching their lead to 9-3.

Ponsonby needed some magic, or luck – or both.

Morrison Siliko entered the game via the bench whilst the last penalty was being goaled, taking his place on the left wing. The restart by Talataina-Mu was not claimed cleanly by Pakuranga, and Siliko had snuck through amongst their pack, snatching the mis-queued tap down. With the ball in hand he stepped several bewildered defenders, but the move stopped just short of the line. However the Siliko magic had created the necessary impetus, and after several phases and set piece, play went left and he crossed in the corner for the try. The conversion drifted away, and Ponsonby were now just a solitary point behind Pakuranga.

With ten minutes to run, Ponsonby had a lineout feed 18 minutes out from the visitor’s line. What followed was a magnificent well executed set move. The ball was tapped down to the replacement halfback Laki Tiatia, and then to Talataina-Mu who ran in a perfect arc, misleading the defence, and in support was the athletic Presley Tufuga who ran in beneath the posts. Talataina-Mu added the extra two points, and Ponsonby now had a 15-9 lead.

A penalty goal was added to the Ponsonby tally in the dying moments, putting the lid on a satisfying victory.

Ponsonby can now look ahead to the third round of the competition next Saturday afternoon when they travel to Henderson to face Waitemata, a side that they have not savoured victory against for three seasons. Waitemata will be lamenting missed opportunities after they had a lions share of possession against Marist, only to have the match result in a 27-all draw.

Ponsonby: 18

Tries: Morrison Siliko and Presley Tufuga

Conversion: William Talataina-Mu

Penalties: William Talataina-Mu 2

Pakuranga: 9

      

 

 

,

Ponsonby v Pakuranga 11 June 2016 at Western Springs

,

The second match of the second round of the 2016 Auckland club competition sees the Ponsonby Premiers hosting Pakuranga at Western Springs on Saturday afternoon. This match will also be a Sir Fred Allen Challenge Cup match, Ponsonby claiming the Cup from Pakuranga just four weeks ago on the 14th of May at Bell Park, the blue and blacks coming away with a satisfying 22-15 victory.  

Ponsonby collected four valuable competition points last weekend in the first round of the Alan McEvoy Memorial Trophy round, edging Grammar-Tec by 23-20. Pakuranga on the other hand will be smarting after their 46-14 loss at the hands of College Rifles in the same round.

Pakuranga, by their own admission, were lucky to scrape into the top four finalists from the first round, defeating Manukau Rovers in the final match, denying them a spot amongst the finalists.

This match on Saturday afternoon will mark the 40th Premier appearance and Blazer game by Alex Matapo who is one of the unsung heroes of the Ponsonby pack, and in 2016 has shown form to suggest that he is worthy of higher honours .

The match kicks off at 2.45pm on the main ground at the Western Springs Stadium, and the curtainraiser between the two Premier Reserve sides kicks off at 1.00pm.

 

PONSONBY PREMIERS:

1. Junior Halafuka; 2. Willie Uili; 3. Alex Matapo; 4. Leo Ngahe; 5. Jamie Lane; 6. Anthony Diack; 7. Waha Waitohi; 8. Presley Tufuga; 9. Campbell Woodmass; 10. William Talataina-Mu; 11. Joseph Beckett; 12. Keenan Masina; 13. Pat Tausie; 14. Pryor Collier; 15. Freedom Vaha’akola

16. Marco Felupeai; 17. Romero Tagi; 18. Sam Slade; 19. Chanel Vito; 20. Laki Tiatia; 21. Morrison Siliko; 22. Aleni Ropati