Western Pioneers and Marist have emerged as the two sides locked in the an intense head-to-head to be the fourth to join two certainties in North Shore and Takapuna and Massey, which is close to being in that category, in this season’s premier semi-finals. The Pioneers, the 2012 champions, continued on Saturday their late charge for a play-off place with a bonus point 36-8 win over Northcote in what was the key match. Despite a major improvement under coach Bob Telfer from last year’s disappointing season the young Northcote side, as a result of this loss, now looks to be out of calculation. Its failure to secure bonus points now appears to have put it too far behind the other sides clamouring to join Shore and Takapuna, the Pioneers, Marist and Massey. The Pioneers, which in contrast to Northcote, have gathered a bundle of bonus points, are now in fifth place on the table with just two qualifying matches left. But they are only a point behind Marist, another side to gain maximum points on Saturday with a 50-5 win over Mahurangi. Marist, though, have a tough draw in the remaining two games, against two of the top three sides, Massey and Takapuna, and the Pioneers, while still to play North Shore, look to be more favourably placed as their other opponent will be a declining Silverdale. Massey, whose home match with Marist this weekend will be crucial, also has another tough game remaining, away to Northcote. But its 66-7 win over East Coast Bays on Saturday, has put it five points clear of Marist and six ahead of the PioneersShore extended its table lead to an unassailable nine points with an efficient 33-0 win over Silverdale. In top form for Shore were the pack leaders, Josh Blucher and James Hincho, with Jacob Botica continuing his goal-kicking success to close in on 200 points for the season. Silverdale’s heavy loss was poor reward for the untiring efforts of its open-side flanker, George Fine. Takapuna, comfortably in second spot and all but assured of a home venue for the semi-finals, was extended to beat one of the bottom sides, Glenfield, 20-10. It has a tough finale to the qualifying rounds against Marist, but should have secured its position by then with what should be a comfortable win over a struggling Bays side this weekend. Bays was cruelly exposed on Saturday by Massey, which won in a canter and despite some poor goal-kicking, in which only three of 12 tries were converted. The rout started when Massey ran the kickoff from its own 22 for centre Dennis Pili to score the first of his three tries. Bays’ only response was an intercept try by veteran midfielder Brett Cameron. Marist utility forward Manu Leiataua, back from playing in South Africa with Manu Samoa, was another to score a hat-trick of tries in his side’s win over a Mahurangi side which was a little more competitive than the final margin indicated.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 23:01:52 +0000
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