Wellington, Petone, Old Boys University and Wainuiomata clinch final four spots

Above: Josh Robertson-Weepu scores a try today in Wainuiomata’s 24-22 win over Old Boys-University, to seal their place in the Jubilee Cup. Despite the loss, the Goats also made it through to the top 8.

Wellington Axemen supporters were grinning from ear to ear on fulltime at Hataitai Park this afternoon as their side beat Poneke 22-15 and earned their place in the coveted Jubilee Cup starting next week.

On their Old Timers’ Day, Wellington’s tight forwards produced a stirring effort to help them hold on and beat Poneke, who threw everything at them in the loose forwards department and out wide for much of the game.

The win for Wellington lifted them to fifth equal on the points table, with Tawa, who along with first round winners Hutt Old Boys Marist, Marist St Pat’s and Ories, were already confirmed Jubilee Cup starters next week.

Petone, Old Boys-University and Wainuiomata were the three other clubs to clinch ‘top 8’ spots for the Jubilee Cup.

The Upper Hutt Rams, Poneke and Northern United were the three unlucky sides that missed out on the top 8 after being in contention before today’s matches. These three clubs will join Premier clubs Johnsonville, Alavon and Paremata-Plimmerton in the Hardham Cup.

Tawa were presented with the Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield after beating Petone 25-12 today, and they are joined by Petone’s second team as the two Premier Reserve sides promoted to the Hardham Cup.

Today’s 11th and final final Swindale Shield round, played under ashen skies and with the threat of heavy rain in the air, was dripping with drama even before opening kick-offs, such were the permutations to see who would finish inside the top eight.

With this in mind, teams knew they just to win and win well and the rest would hopefully take care of itself. For both Petone and Wainuiomata, this was the certainly the case, both fast out of the blocks in their matches.

With the wind at the Rec, Petone raced to a 14-0 lead over Tawa, through tries to halfback Jared Kahu and first five-eighth Piri Parone. They then took a 24-0 lead into halftime and sealed the game when they won a tighthead scrum win and flanker Jacob Gooch crossed.

Over the hill at William Jones Park, Wainuiomata sailed to a 17-3 at halftime, before surviving a big comeback by Old Boys University to hold on and win 24-22. Halfback Frae Wilson scored their first try and then star recruit TJ Va’a, making his first start in Premier club rugby, helped set up second first try to midfielder John Monu.

Va’a went off injured and his replacement Josh Robertson Weepu scored in the second half off a chargedown to put them ahead 24-3 before OBU came back, No. 8 Teariki Ben Nicholas scoring their final try that gave them a bonus point that could’ve been crucial.

At the Graveyard, Poneke came out firing against Wellington. After an early Wellington penalty, Poneke went desperately close to scoring a long-range try sparked by in-form flanker Greg Foe. Instead the Axemen held on and went to close to crossing. Poneke wing Max Murray was sin-binned near his line and Wellington hooker Anthony Ellis rumbled over from the ensuring lineout drive to make it 10-0. Poneke hit back with a try to livewire centre Willis Halaholo and Wellington led 10-5 at the interval.

Poneke No. 8 Galu Taufele scored early in the second half to put them in front 12-10, but Wellington re-gained the lead with a try and then their scrum turned provider under Poneke’s line, setting up a another try to restore their earlier 10-point lead. Poneke surged forward once more, but a penalty for a bonus point wasn’t enough to see them make the Jubilee Cup.

Down at Evans Bay Park, the Upper Hutt Rams were hunting victory, which would’ve pushed them inside the top 8. Instead they met a clinical MSP side who held off their early challenge before taking a 24-10 lead. First five-eighth and 2001 Jubilee Cup winner Fa’atonu Fili was a key figure in this contest, as centre Ryan Setefano scored to extend this lead further.

The Rams had already launched several big comebacks this year, as they crossed to cut the lead to 31-18. But that was as close as the got as right wing Mike Buckley raced away to score to win the game for MSP. The hosts added one more try and the Rams scored a consolation, bonus point try on fulltime which could have proved valuable.

At the Polo Ground, Hutt Old Boys Marist were presented with the Swindale Shield by WRFU officials after a big defensive effort by the home side Oriental-Rongotai helped the Magpies to a 19-12 win for the Bondy Memorial Cup.

Ories received no fewer than three yellow cards and were under the pump throughout much of the contest, but typical Ories grit saw them hold on to win. Ories took a 12-7 lead into halftime courtesy of tries to Ben Tuiatua and No. 8 Tuakana Metuarau. Eagles fullback Blake McGregor scored in the corner to lock it all up, before Ories halfback Sean Hay crossed to score the match-winner.

Johnsonville earned their second win over the season, pulling away from Paremata-Plimmerton to prevail 62-6. Match report of this game below

Norths held on to beat Avalon 33-31 in their match on the all-new Fraser Park Articficial surface, It was a close contest throughout, but Norths outscored the home team five tries to three to ensure a winless Swindale Shield campaign for Avalon. Extended match report of this match below

Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield

Tawa completed an unbeaten first round season this afternoon by beating Petone.

Tawa and Petone will contest the Hardham Cup, starting next weekend.

Poneke finished third, beating the Wellington Axemen 19-7 at the Graveyard curtain-raiser, ahead of fourth placed Norths who smoked Avalon 59-17. Marist St Pat’s sealed fifth with a 58-10 win over the Upper Hutt Rams.

In other results, HOBM defeated Ories 20-13, OBU beat Wainuiomata 26-12 and Johnsonville won the battle of the minnows by edging Paremata-Plimmerton 21-20.

Women’s Fleurs Trophy

Northern United took a steely grip on the top of the standings after seven rounds of the Fleurs Trophy today.

Norths earned their sixth straight bonus point victory with their 39-0 win over Avalon. Second Five-eighth Brenda Collins scored a hat-trick and fullback Vaine Marsters scored a double as they defended the Challenge Cup for the first time.

Norths now have a buffer over second placed Ories who had their bye today.

Old Boys University consolidated third place with their 57-5 win over Poneke, after scoring four first half tries and leading 28-5 at halftime.

Centre Georgia Daals continued her hot scoring form, scoring two tries and 22 points to become the first women’s player to break the 100-point barrier for the season.

In other Women’s matches today, Hutt Old Boys Marist beat Wainuiomata 32-12 and Tawa overcame Johnsonville 104-5.

Thomson Memorial First Grade

The Petone Brotherhood made it seven from seven in 2015 today with their 24-15 win over Stokes Valley.

Hutt Old Boys Marist, Old Boys University and the Petone Saxons each have five wins from seven matches. HOBM beat MSP Avele 27-23, while OBU beat MSP’s other side 62-12 and the Petone Saxons beat Poneke 28-24.

Paris Memorial Trophy U21 Division 1

On Friday night, defending champions Old Boys University Green defeated Old Boys University Black 77-0.

OBU Green have moved into fourth on the standings with their fifth win in six encounters.
Northern United Blue earned their seventh straight win, beating the Avalon Wolf Cubs 35-3, while the Upper Hutt Rams are outright second after toppling Marist St Pat’s 36-17.

Petone are still third, despite having their bye today, with Poneke and Hutt Old Boys Marist Green jut behind. Poneke beat Tawa 33-22 and HOBM beat Ories 26-13.

In other Colts results today, the Wellington Junior Axemen overcame Wainuiomata 20-13 and Paremata-Plimmerton edged Johnsonville 20-17.

JC Bowl U85kg Division 1

There were four games played today, with a mixed bag of results.

At one end of the scale was the Avalon Wolves beating the OBU Onslow Wolves 3-0, while at the other the Tawa Titans overwhelmed the Kapiti Colts 59-7 and Wellington beat Eastbourne 53-5. The Poneke Cavs beat MSP Red 26-12 in the other game.

HOBM lead division 2 on 26 competiton points, just ahead of Johnsonvlle on 25, whom they pipped 13-12 today, and the Wests Roosters on 21.

Division 2 results today were: Johnsonville 65 - Wellington B 7; Wellington B 28 - Paremata-Plimmerton 10; Western Suburbs 28 -Marist St Pat’s Green 11 ; Hutt Old Boys Marist 13 Johnsonville 12

Reserve Grade

The Poneke Ruffnuts and the Upper Hutt J8s are both unbeaten after six rounds.

Results today were: OBU Porters Pink Ginners 15 - OBU Righteous Brothers 14; Western Suburbs Mixed Veges 24 - Johnsonville Cripples 0; Poneke Ruffnuts 30 - Upper Hutt Rams Thirsty Rams 12; OBU Teddy Bears 50 - Poneke Panthers 12; Upper Hutt Rams J8’s 17 - Marist St Pats Internationals 0; OBU 69er’s 29 - Upper Hutt Rams Pirates 19 Bye: Paremata-Plimmerton Punters

WelTec Premiership First XV

Scots College defended the Moascar Cup today with a convincing 41-12 win over Rongotai College.

St Pat’s Silverstream defeated Wairarapa College 43-7 and Tawa College beat Hutt International Boys’ School 20-0.

St Pat’s Town beat Wellington College 15-11 on Wednesday.

Scots College and St Pat’s Silverstream are both unbeaten after the opening fortnight with the maximum 10 points.

Johnsonville (62) v Paremata-Plimmerton (6) Match report by Jack Callender

In average conditions at Helston Park, Johnsonville finished their Swindale Shield campaign on a high with a big 62- 6 romp in front of 130 diehard fans.

The home side started strongly, dominating possession and territory. It didn’t take long for the Hawks to get on the score sheet. After a few pick and goes deep inside the Pare-Plim half, Roy Kinikinilau dotted down in his second appearance for Johnsonville. The former Hurricane and Wellington rep knew how to find his way to the tryline and was to have a positive impact in the match.

Pare-Plim first five Blake Neve kicked 2 penalties, (one from halfway) to reduce the gap to 7-6. But this was to be the closest they would get to Johnsonville.

The home side scored their second try when the dynamic Kane Le’aupepe crashed over in the corner. First five Rob Aloe missed a tough conversion from the right hand touchline into the wind but his miss wouldn’t deter the home side.

The game was gone for Pare-Plim when openside flanker Tane McMillan-Parata was sent to the bin for repeated breakdown infringing. This would cost his side dearly as Johnsonville ran in three unanswered tries to take a 31 – 6 lead into the halftime break.

Hard running number 8 Sean Bridge scored two tries The first try was a beauty, as Roy Kinikinilau carved the hapless Pare-Plim defence up the middle, beating four defenders. Kinikinilau could have scored, but he unselfishly passed to Bridge who dotted down.
With Johnsonville up 31-6 at the break, the game was as good as gone for the visitors.

Aloe missed 2 conversions in the first half, but found his kicking boots again when hooker Luke Prisk crashed over in the corner at the start of the second half.

Shortly after, the tries kept coming. Experience loose forward Louis Karl, coming off the bench got his name on the scoresheet after a huge run by halfback Jack Taulapapa.
Karl and Kinikinilau would score their second tries midway through the second half, beating would be tacklers close to the Pare-Plim line. Rob Aloe made both conversions and the scoreline was very imposing at 55- 6.

Flying Fijian Vili Dakunimata would cap off the scoring from close range. The conversion took the final score to 62-6.

The entire Johnsonville team played really well. Corey Lawrence was dynamic at both breakdown and in open play. Anthony Pettett was rock solid at lineout time. The former Newlands College 1st15 player looks set for a big future. Dane Robertson made some telling runs.

But Roy Kikinikinilau at 35, is far from a spent force after two appearances for Johnsonville this season. In my opinion, if he keeps up his form, there is no reason why he cannot return to play Provincial rugby for the Lions.

Pare-Plim played okay with the limited possession they had, but struggled dearly due to mistakes and ill discipline. They haven’t found Swindale Shield rugby easy by any means and will target games against Tawa and Petone reserves, along with Avalon as potential victories in the Hardham Cup, which begins next week. Blake Neve, and the McMillan-Parata brothers need to keep up their form as their leadership will be key.

Johnsonville haven’t disgraced themselves this Swindale Shield campaign. They were unfortunate in close losses to Norths, Wellington Axemen and Tawa (now playing in the Jubilee Cup), but against the likes of OBU, MSP and Wainuiomata they were outclassed. The Hawks should make the semis of the Hardham Cup, but the toughest tests will come against Norths, Poneke and Upper Hutt over the coming weeks. Johnsonville didn’t face Poneke and Upper Hutt in the 2015 Swindale Shield, and will be looking to beat a struggling Norths at Helston, something they couldn’t do last time they met at Porirua Park a few weeks ago.

Northern United (33) v Avalon (31) Match Report by Scott MacLean

Already both consigned to the Hardham Cup, Avalon and Norths turned on an entertaining contest in the first Premier contest on Fraser Park's brand new artificial turf.

Norths opened the scoring inside 4 minutes with Dean Brunsdon crossing. However Avalon regrouped from the restart and prop Gerard Faitaitoa was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-on with the hosts hot on attack. The reward came minutes later when flanker Sefo Aumua crossed.

The early stages were physical, with Avalon's Akuila Alatini and Ata Langilangi and Norths' Brunsdon prominent. Avalon were to suffer two significant setbacks though; captain Cameron Cross was withdrawn after only 10 minutes after a head knock, while Alatini left after 25 after injuring a shoulder. Norths used a short kicking game to great effect, with winger Vonijiasi Denicauacau bagging a double; the second coming when veteran Wolves fullback Liddy Ah Wong dallied on forcing a ball in his own in-goal, with all tries converted by Jackson Garden-Bachop. Avalon kept in touch through three penalties from Sonny Oloupu, with the score 21-16 to the visitors at the break.

The second half started badly for Avalon, with Ah Wong sent to the bin after a high tackle. Norths made the advantage count with Garden-Bachop crossing after a succession of close-range attempts on the line and converted. Oloupu added a fourth penalty, but this period of play cost them the impressive Langilangi.

By now the game had totally opened up, with both sides seemingly relishing the environment. Avalon were next to score, a period of back and forth play saw a bust made by midfielder Ben Peni, with his pass knocked back by a Norths defender. Aumua was the first to the ball, toeing it on and winning the race to it for his second. Oloupu's conversion made it 26-28, and it was game on.

Norths werent going to merely concede though, and Brunsdon earned his double. He could have had a third, but an intercept and 70m run was called back for a shoulder charge earlier in the play by referee Matt Rodden after consultation with his assistants. Avalon took almost full advantage, with No8 Daniel Sione-Leota crossing, but Oloupu missed the conversion that would have tied the game from a very handy position. They then threw everything into the last 3 minutes, including turning down a long-range penalty, but Norths held on.

Both sides will probably work hard on their execution and decision-making this week ahead of their Hardham Cup campaigns. Garden-Bachop and Brunsdon were at the heart of everything good that their side did, with the latters full-hearted display a fitting end (for now possibly) to his Norths and Wellington club career as he heads to Australia. Avalon's second row trio of Alatini, Finauga Segi, and Langilangi were industrious both on attack and defense, with Peni making several telling breaks in midfield. The fact that three of those - Alatini, Langilangi, and Peni - were all forced off and adding to a mounting injury list will be cause for concern for the weeks ahead.