Melrose 10 Ponsonby 14

Tony Kounwaiyu intercepted a loose pass from Bruce Ruthven and the New Zealander stretched his legs to score from inside his own half. Jeffray Ierome converted.

Another mistake from Melrose set up Kounwaiyu for his second try of the tie, and Ierome again converted.

Melrose responded early in the second half with a try from Kelly Brown, but Scott Ruthven’s missed conversion meant the advantage still lay with the guest side. However, Melrose kept fighting and Graeme Thompson was rewarded for tenacity at a scrum when he gathered the loose possession and went over. However, Melrose’s failure to convert either of their tries proved crucial despite a thrilling conclusion when the hosts became encamped in the Ponsonby 22.

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Date: 12/04/2003