This is the Premier line up to take on University at Western Springs this Saturday 1 July 2017 at 2:45pm.
The Ponies Association Day starts at 1pm and for only $20 you get a roast lunch and beer! Come down and catch up with old friends and by doing so you'll be helping the U20's tour to Samoa in November.
If you want to receive the line up directly, email Dennis Mansfield on patiki.nz@gmail.com
After their disappointing loss at the hands of Suburbs in the previous round, the Ponsonby Premiers side prevailed on a muddy Williams Park to edge Manukau Rovers by 23-18 in the fourth round of the Alan McEvoy competition on Saturday afternoon.
Far from desirable underfoot conditions and a very slippery ball ensured the match would not be a free flowing affair, but the blue and blacks displayed a massive defensive effort and exceptional handling skills against a physical Manukau Rovers team. Going into this round Manukau Rovers were winless after three matches and languishing at the bottom of the competition table, so desperate to turn the tables.
Due to player unavailability in the Ponsonby ranks a number of forced personnel changes were necessary for this fixture. In what was his first start for the side in several seasons Daniel Bowden was handed the number ten jersey, and his experience was a telling factor in the conditions. Other changes included Shigeru Kohiyama starting at halfback, and Ben Meredith being called up from the Premier Development side to start on the left wing.
Playing ‘uphill’ in the first spell, Ponsonby began the game on the back foot, having to withstand several threatening attacks from the home side. Whilst they were able to keep their line intact, they did concede a penalty close to the line, which was duly goaled by Calvary Fonoti, the home side going 3-0 up after as many minutes.
Ponsonby responded with a promising attack, only to turn over possession just ten metres from the Manukau Rovers line. The home side then launched a successful counter attack which featured a 70 metre dash down the left hand touch by the elusive running Melani Nanai. Ponsonby were unable to halt this movement, and 90 metres later the try was scored by the hard running number eight Siosuia Kaifa.
With momentum on their side Manukau Rover continued their assault on the Ponsonby territory and it wasn’t long before the blue and blacks were forced to defend a lineout close to their line. From this lineout the prop William Fonua charged over in the right hand corner. Despite the conversion failing, Manukau Rovers had notched up a handy 13-0 lead after just 16 minutes play.
The match was 20 minutes old before Ponsonby were able to secure some good possession, courtesy of their first penalty of the match. Bowden kicked the ball to the corner, and after several minutes on attack Freedom Vaha’akolo crossed for his tenth try of the season.
The Jordan Trainor conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but he did goal two penalties before the halftime break, Ponsonby trailing by 13-11 at the turn around.
Early in the second spell Ponsonby forced the home side close to their own line. An attempted clearing kick by Fonoti was charged down and Junior Halafuka pounced on the ball, scoring Ponsonby’s second of the match.
Ponsonby maintained their lead for several minutes, but were unable to prevent the Manukau Rovers number eight Kaifa charging over from a handy scrum.
Manukau Rovers led on the scoreboard by 18-16, but this was to be short-lived. Ponsonby had several attempts at the home side line, and their persistence paid off with Sam Ulufonua charging over. Trainor landed the extra points, giving the lead back to the blue and blacks by 23-18.
Despite a late rally by the home team, Ponsonby defended stoutly and held the 23-18 scoreline until the final whistle.
Ponsonby sit in fifth place on the competition table, and the pressure stays on them with another tough encounter looming next Saturday, this time a home fixture against University. To secure a place in the all-important top four finalists of the round, this match is another must win for Ponsonby. University successfully disposed of Pakuranga last week by 31-12, moving to second place on the table. They will want to maintain their spot amongst the top four, so will be keen to secure the competition points from the Ponsonby match.
Ponsonby: 23
Tries: Junior Halafuka, S Ulufonua and Freedom Vaha’akolo
Conversion : Jordan Trainor
Penalty: Jordan Trainor 2
Manukau: 18
Tries: S Kaifa 2, W Fonua
Penalty: C Fonoti
1. Junior Halafuka; 2. Willie Uili; 3. Marco Fepuleai; 4. Sam Ulufonua; 5. Jamie Lane;
6. Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa; 7. Waharai Waitohi; 8. Presley Tufuga; 9. Shigeru Kohiyama;
10. Daniel Bowden; 11. Ben Meredith; 12. Tilitili Puloka; 13. Keenan Masina; 14. Freedom Vaha’akolo
15. Jordan Trainor; 16. Charles Napa’a; 17. Phil Viane; 18. Robert Cobb; 19. Thomas Fisiihoi;
20. Aleks Dabek; 21. Campbell Woodmass; 22. Patrick Tausie
This is the Premier line up to take on Suburbs at Shadbolt Park this Saturday 17June 2017.
If you want to receive the line up directly, email Dennis Mansfield on patiki.nz@gmail.com
The attachment also has details on the Ponies Association Day being held on Saturday 1 July at the club. All money raised will go towards the U20 Samoa Tour in November. Watch this space!
After the disappointing loss to Eden in the previous round the Ponsonby Premiers bounced back in style registering a classic display against College Rifles on Saturday, winning by 40-20.
Much of the fixture was vintage Ponsonby rugby. Passion and commitment manufactured exceptional skills and six wonderful tries. Whilst every man in the match day squad of 22 contributed to this tremendous result, the captain Waharai Waitohi was inspirational on attack and outstanding on defence. Additionally William Talataina-Mu was masterful at first five eighth, having a hand in several of Ponsonby’s tries, contributing 15 points to the scoreline from five conversions and a try.
This result also saw the Sam Lawrence trophy presented to Ponsonby’s Waharai Waitohi, the trophy being introduced last year for fixtures between these two sides.
In the Alan McEvoy Memorial Trophy round every competition point counts, and the five points earned in this contest were extremely valuable, lifting Ponsonby to fourth place on the table of eight teams.
The match did not commence as Ponsonby would have planned. The College Rifles kick off looked to be bouncing into touch, however the ball landed just shy of the touchline and bounced back in field in favour of College Rifles. After a minute on attack with several exchanges, and before the first stoppage in play the visitors recorded the opening try, scored by the winger Lolohea Loco, which was duly converted by Broc Hooper.
From the ensuing restart Ponsonby went onto the attack, and after 12 well-constructed phases the left winger Tili Puloka crossed the line. Talataina-Mu converted, levelling the scores at 7-7.
College Rifles then dominated proceedings for a lengthy period, but Ponsonby were up to the task and gallantly defended their territory. But the visitors eventually found an opportunity to break through and the winger Loco again crossed the line. The conversion in this instance drifted wide.
The restart by Ponsonby was not controlled by College Rifles, and the blue and blacks snared the loose ball. An outstanding run by Presley Tufuga and then some great supporting play by Phil Viane and Willie Uili took play within metres of the visitor’s line. Danny Tusitala went right from the maul and a very deft pass from Talataina-Mu allowed Keenan Masina to cross for the five pointer. The successful conversion saw the lead go to Ponsonby for the first time in the match.
College Rifles then hit straight back, their elusive runners momentarily catching the Ponsonby defence off guard, and they notched up their third try of the match, the number eight Sione Talitui scoring. The conversion was unsuccessful, but the visitors had the lead back at 17-14.
The Ponsonby pack raced back to halfway indicating their intent to recapture the lead in the game. The restart was knocked on by the visitors and the ball was now back in Ponsonby’s hands. Some good work by Pryor Collier, Tufuga and Waitohi resulted in play going inside the visitors 22. A magnificent cut out pass from Talataina-Mu to Freedom Vaha’akolo saw the right winger cross for his ninth try of the season. The conversion allowed Ponsonby to once again have the lead at 21-17.
College Rifles successfully claimed the restart, only to concede a turnover to Ponsonby. Tusitala then initiated a promising counterattack. Play went right to Talataina-Mu and what evolved was a sensational 60 metre move, which was finished by Tusitala. The conversion fell away, and Ponsonby went to the break at 26-17 ahead, and looked confident going into the remaining 40 minutes.
College Rifles struck first in the second spell, Broc Hooper goaling a penalty. The scoreboard now read 26-20 in Ponsonby’s favour, the visitors sensing an opportunity to regain the lead. But this was to be the end of their scoring in the match.
Ponsonby’s fifth try was a real gem. A sweeping move involving most of the team was finished by the skipper Waitohi. Talataina-Mu added the extra two points, taking the score out to 33-20.
It was Talataina-Mu who had the final say in the match, with a chip kick and regather for the try. His conversion put the icing on the cake.
The curtain came down on what had been, in the most, a scintillating and entertaining 80 minutes of rugby.
Next Saturday’s third match in this round has Ponsonby drawn to play the competition leaders Suburbs on their home ground at Shadbolt Park. Suburbs have two wins from two outings in this competition, the most recent being a 24-19 victory over Pakuranga in the last round.
Ponsonby’s last meeting with Suburbs was on the 1st of April this year in the Waka Nathan Challenge Cup final, Suburbs winning that day by 31-15. Ponsonby’s last venture to Shadbolt Park was on the 23rd of July 2016, being the Gallaher Shield semi-final. The result that day went the way of Suburbs by 18-7, ending Ponsonby’s hopes of progressing to the Gallaher Shield final, the final which Suburbs went on to win the following week. Suburbs have always been a traditional adversary of Ponsonby, and they will be aware of the dangerous attacking ball carriers within the Suburbs ranks, and how vital it will be to collect the maximum competition points.
Despite the outstanding Premier result, the outcome of the Premier Development sides who played the curtainraiser at Western Springs on Saturday did not go in Ponsonby’s favour. The blue and blacks led by 23-19 with time virtually up on the clock, but a last gasp converted try by College Rifles saw the visitors win by 26-23. The Under 85’s were too strong for their Eden opposites, Ponsonby winning by 28-0, whilst the First Grade Emerging Players pipped Manukau by 20-10.
PONSONBY PREMIERS: 40
Tries: Waha Waitohi, Danny Tusitala, William Talataina-Mu, Tili Puloka, Keenan Masina and Freedom Vaha’akolo
Conversions: William Talataina-M 5
College Rifles: 20
Tries: Lolohea Loco 2, Sione Talitui tries,
Conversion: Broc Hooper
Penalty: Broc Hooper
Halftime: 26 - 17
The opening round of the Alan McEvoy Memorial Shield last Saturday saw the Ponsonby Premiers travel up the road to Gribblehurst Park to tackle Eden. The result left the statisticians scrambling for the record books to see when it was that Ponsonby last lost to Eden. After Ponsonby had led by 7-0 at the halftime break, Eden went on to win by 27-17. Ponsonby scored a try in each half, and the balance of the points was from the boot of William Talataina-Mu.
Eden are one of the most improved sides in Auckland Premier rugby in 2017, and coupled with their clubs 95th anniversary celebrations this weekend, Ponsonby were never going to find this match a walk in the park.
The opening 30 minutes were nothing short of a massive arm wrestle, with neither side able to gain significant ascendancy. However Ponsonby recorded the first try of the match, courtesy of the outstanding prop Marco Fepuleaii.
Eden struck back early in the second spell with a penalty goal and then a converted try a few minutes later.
Talataina-Mu levelled the scores at 10-10 soon after with a penalty goal.
Ponsonby looked to up the tempo in the match, but were unable to stop a combined effort from Rodrigo and Nicholas Costa, the latter sneaking over for a five pointer next to the posts, which was converted.
A drop goal by Eden’s Rodrigo Costa extended the lead for his side to 20-10.
A well worked try for Ponsonby by Freedom Vaha’akolo, converted by Talataina-Mu, brought Ponsonby to within striking distance at 20-17 down.
With time in the match running out, Ponsonby staged a late comeback, but a stray pass was intercepted by Eden’s Brody Lam, and then converted.
Ponsonby will now regroup and focus on next week’s match back at home against College Rifles, which will be another tough encounter. Last Saturday College Rifles came from 10-6 down at the break to edge Grammar-Tec by 21-20.
Eden 27
Tries: T Lam, N Costa, B Lam
Conversions: R Costa 2, N Costa
Penalty: R Costa
Drop Goal: R Costa
Ponsonby 17
Tries: M Fepuleai, F Vaha’akolo
Conversions: W Talataina-Mu 2
Penalty: W Talataina-Mu
This is the Premier line up to take on Eden at Gribblehurst Park this Saturday 3 June 2017. This is the first round of Alan McEvoy and Eden will be celebrating their 95th anniversary.
If you want to receive the line up directly, email Dennis Mansfield on patiki.nz@gmail.com
