Michael Porter’s side, who have sat inside the top three on the table all season, are the third team to book their place in the knockout phase of the competition after Karaka and Patumahoe secured home semi-finals last weekend.
“I’m happy to get the win,” said Pukekohe coach Michael Porter. “It definitely wasn’t pretty, but the boys were gusty.
“I thought our defense was pretty good, which was nice to see.”
Ardmore Marist picked up a bonus point that could prove vital with just one round remaining.
Karaka had little trouble accounting for Manurewa 56-31 at Karaka Sports Complex.
“Really good first half by the boys – Rewa came back in the middle of the second,” coach Craig Hill said.
“Set piece work from the forwards was really good and gave a good base for the backs to play off.”
Manurewa did score a bonus point for four tries that keeps the door open for Jeremy Clark’s side heading into the final round of games.
Patumahoe kept pace with Karaka atop the standings with a 42-15 win over Bombay at Patumahoe Domain.
“Real tough game in the wet, muddy conditions against a desperate Bombay team trying to secure that fourth spot,” Healy said.
“Bombay put us under pressure early, but I was proud of how our boys took control late in the first half and carried that on in the second.
“We knew Bombay wouldn’t go away as they showed last week against Pukekohe, which they didn’t and it took a big defensive spell from our boys to hold them out.
“Looking forward to the week off then into Ardmore for our last round robin game.”
Patumahoe’s 43-17 win over Bombay in the Bob Chandler Cup Premier 2 competition sealed a semi-final berth.
Karaka hammered Manurewa 94-12 while Pukekohe took a 15-10 win over Ardmore Marist.
As is the case with the McNamara Cup, Ardmore Marist, Bombay and Manurewa face a three-way shoot-out in the final round for the final semi-final spot.
Te Kauwhata continued their dominant season in the Sid Marshall Shield as they defeated Weymouth 36-29 at Te Kauwhata Domain.
Onewhero picked up a 36-15 road win over Drury.
Te Kohanga scored their first win of the season when they beat Manurewa 15-7 at Mountfort Park in the consolation bracket of the Sid Marshall Shield.
Puni took a 45-15 win over Tuakau.
Pukekohe and Waiuku played out a 17-17 draw in the Massey Cup U21 competition at Colin Lawrie Fields.
Patumahoe beat Ardmore Marist 27-7 on the road while Karaka thumped Manurewa 83-0.
It means Karaka meets Patumahoe in one semi-final while Ardmore Marist and Pukekohe meet in the second semi.
Manurewa claimed a 21-10 win over Waiuku on the road in the Bright Cup U19 grade.
Patumahoe went down to Auckland side 36-10.
In U85kg action, Beachlands Maraetai enjoyed a 31-7 win over Drury, while Karaka beat Patumahoe 15-5 on the road.
Waiuku went down to Fraser Tech 36-12, Bombay lost 28-14 to Hamilton Marist while Pukekohe were soundly beaten 40-3 by Morrinsville Sports.
Pukekohe will face Beachlands Maraetai in one semi-final while Karaka host Waiuku in the other.
