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OBU and MSP to meet in Jubilee Cup final after epic afternoon of playoff rugby

Club Rugby | 25 July 2015 | Club Rugby

OBU and MSP to meet in Jubilee Cup final after epic afternoon of playoff rugby

Above: Peniasi Tokakece scoring one of his two tries for Marist St Pat’s in their Jubilee Cup semi-final against Tawa this afternoon. MSP won 27-23 and they will meet Old Boys University in next week’s final.

Top qualifier Old Boys University and Marist St Pat’s will contest the 2015 Jubilee Cup final, after each winning epic semi-finals in Wellington today in bright sunshine.

At the Basin Reserve, Old Boys University scored a late try, converted from the sideline by fullback Sam Chamberlain, before watching a death-knock James Proctor sail wide to hold on and beat Oriental-Rongotai 20-18.

At Evans Bay Park, Marist St Pat’s beat Tawa 27-23 in a titanic struggle.

The Jubilee Cup final is next Saturday at Porirua Park at 3.30pm.

The curtain-raiser will see top qualifier Johnsonville play the Upper Hutt Rams in the Hardham Cup final, after they both won home semi-finals today.

Johnsonville defeated Poneke 31-17 at Helston Park, while the Upper Hutt Rams beat neighbours Avalon 44-17 at Maidstone Park.

Northern United and Oriental-Rongotai will clash in the Women’s Victoria Tavern Trophy after their wins in today’s semi-finals.

Northern United pulled clear to beat Old Boys University 40-3, after leading 10-3 at halftime, whilst Ories laid on a six-try burst in the first half to lead Avalon 38-5 at the break and eventually win 65-5.

For Norths, all the Collins sisters, Brenda (2), Helen, Tiana and cousin Phoneix scored tries in the eight tries to nil victory.

A feature of the Ories-Avalon Women’s match was the electric play of Ories wing Aysha Leti-L'iga, whose second try of three late in the first half was dynamic. Another Ories standout was lock Joanah Ngan-Woo who was involved in several telling plays on attack and defence. The forwards battle was heated, but Ories had far too much strike-power in open play for Avalon.

Jubilee Cup semi-final report: Old Boys University v Oriental-Rongotai

By Jack Biggs

The golden boot of Sam Chamberlain decided the Jubilee Cup semi-final between Ories and OBU, the latter prevailing 20-18.

With a deserving home semi-final in hand OBU produced a spirited performance against an Ories side that had left some of their best rugby until now.

Unfortunately, missed kicks ultimately decided Ories’ fate while some solid strikes proved defining for Old Boys University who keep their unbeaten Cup run going all the way into next weekend’s final.

It seemed Ories would have the rub of the green in the opening exchanges, bolstered by the speed and finesse of Ambrose Curtis on the right wing the visitors had a spring in their step, profiting from a loose kick to open their account.

Curtis found himself with ball-in-hand from a charge down only to find a hulking Afa Fa’atau left with too much space for the defenders to react.

Soon after it was Fa’atau who would repay the favour, igniting attack down his left flank before finding centre Ben Tuiatua who darted across field to find Curtis who had too many gaps to choose from.

An early 10-nil lead could’ve proved more fruitful if it weren’t for conversions skimming by the uprights, although both chances being in difficult positions.

OBU closed the gap slightly, nailing a penalty and coming within a converted try, which is exactly what they did next.

OBU muscled their way into opposition half, securing possession and compiling phase play. The man with the golden boot, Chamberlain, was of course waiting on the right wing unmarked and allowing him to waltz over the try line before converting his own try and levelling the score.

After a fast-start, thanks largely to Pau Halafihi, Whetu Henry, Ben Tuiatua and Ambrose Curtis; somehow OBU took a lead into half time after Chamberlain slotted yet another penalty to edge his side ahead.

Ories entered the second half with a handful of penalties falling their way, two of which were 50 metres on the angle and proved too difficult to cross the bar. Perhaps Ories will rue their options; however, hindsight is a great thing, especially in sport.

James Proctor did nail one opportunity and levelled the scores and many believed the black and white would charge on and close out the match.

The play of the game, perhaps the season, came from a set-piece move from Ories. A scrum 10 metres out from their try line saw their talented backline pull off a move teams train all week to execute.

James Proctor offered the ball to centre Tuiatua before an inside pass fell into the lap of a screeching Curtis who was never going to be stopped so close to the line, bagging his second.

The kickable conversion was dubiously waved away by officials, much to the dismay of spectators behind the post, and it would prove costly later on.

RLM

Still, Ories had a deserving 5-point lead and the odds seemed in their favour. There would be another twist in the script.

As a trailing team often does, OBU were camped inside their opposites half, claiming countless penalties, one of which resulting in a crucial yellow card to Pau Halafihi for not releasing the tackled player.

Halafihi had toiled hard all game and is always an integral member of the Ories pack, the loss of their openside hurt instantly. OBU, opting for the scrum, peeled off blind before finding a determined Te Wehi Wright who had inches to work with on his left wing, but inches were enough.

The scores were tied up, leaving Chamberlain a challenging side line conversion to claim the lead. The kicked sailed between the bars, right down the middle; big game, big game kick, and with it, the win.

Ories did have a fairy tale opportunity of their own in the final play of the game. Proctor offered a penalty, 30 metres on the angle but it would go astray, full time.

Jubilee Cup semi-final report: Marist St Pat’s v Tawa

By Adam Julian

Marist St Pat’s are into next week’s Jubilee Cup final, after a stirring 27-23 win over Tawa.

The lead changed hands five times, as MSP reached their second final in four years.

Tawa opened the scoring when first five-eighth James So’oialo kicked a penalty, but MSP responded strongly when No. 8 Peniasi Tokakece scored a try to make it 7-3.

Tawa replied with a try to put them in the lead 8-7. This try was scored by evergreen wing Junior Togia who received a pass by lock Telea Seumanutafa who was tackled in the air but managed to offload to Togia. This came after an earlier break down the blindside by halfback Phillip Finau, and Tawa led 10-7.

MSP pivot Fa’atonu Fili kicked two consecutive penalties to see them lead 13-10 at halftime.

Tawa took the lead early in the second half when Seumanutafa dashed 25 metres down the right hand lane and scored. Following the re-start, Tawa made a mistake in their own half with Tu Umaga-Marshall dropping the ball. No. 8 Tokakece barrelled over to score his second try of the afternoon to make it 18-17.

So’oialo kicked a penalty to put Tawa back in front, 20-18, but Fili replied for MSP to make it 21-20 to MSP. Fili added another to make it 24-20. Tawa kicked the ball out on the full but won a scrum penalty on halfway, which So’oialo kicked to make it 24-23. Then Fili kicked a 45-metre penalty close to fulltime.

Standouts in the game included MSP captain and flanker Issac O’Connor, after being yellow carded in the first minute of the contest for a head-high tackle. Tokakece carried strongly and was rewarded with two tries. Seumanutafa had some outstanding touches for Tawa. TJ Fermanis was strong again, Junior Togia was busy. Also for MSP, centre Ryan Setefano and tighthead prop Geoff Fepuleai also played well.

Hardham Cup semi-final report: Johnsonville v Poneke

By Jack Callender

In beautiful sunshine at Helston Park, a large crowd were on hand to potentially see their beloved Hawks through to the Hardham Cup.

In Johnsonville’s first semi-final at the park in 15 years they were outstanding on both attack and defence beating Poneke 31-17.

The Hawks started strongly in the first half. Right wing Tiwi Davies would open the scoring with a penalty.

The game was barely 5 minutes old when the first try was scored. A miraculous flick pass found Jack Taulapapa. Taulapapa operating at first receiver coasted into the Poneke 22 untouched. Tiwi Davies was in support to score the first try of the afternoon. Davies would convert his own try and the Hawks were up 10-0.

But Poneke came back with a bang. Left wing Faresa Tesele was on the receiving end of an overlap as he dotted down. The conversion was unsuccessful.

Johnsonville scored again with left wing Ash Vaka-Vivili scoring in the corner. Right on halftime, Davies slotted a monster penalty from halfway to ensure his team had a commanding 18-5 lead at the break.

The second half was opened with a penalty from Davies, but Poneke came back into the game big time despite missing influential second five Greg Mullany, who went off injured midway through the first half.

Pakai Turia stepped up with an amazing try. He stepped past former Tawa man Jeff Makapelu and sauntered in under the posts with a great step. Turia won a Premier 1 title with Wellington College a couple of years back, and he is destined for a big future. He converted his own try and suddenly Poneke were right back in the contest down by 9 points 21-12.

Makapelu was at first receiver because Jack Taulapapa (who played a blinder in the first half) was off with a knee injury. Taulapapa’s injury will be of some concern leading up to the final.
Tiwi Davies would score a try and kick both a conversion and a penalty to see his side up 31-12.

In the last 12 minutes Poneke threw the kitchen sink at Johnsonville. Number 8 Ray Treviranus was inspirational along with Greg Foe and Galu Taufale has they ran hard onto the ball, almost scoring numerous times. But the Johnsonville defence held firm.

Even though Poneke left wing Talia Taotua would dot down in the left hand corner with 8 minutes remaining, it was too little too late for the visitors.

Johnsonville captain Deina Morete booted the ball into the western side and the game was won.
The Hawks were through to the Hardham Cup final at Porirua Park aka Jerry Collins Memorial Stadium. High fives handshakes and grins occured amongst the strong crowd at Helston post-match.

The battle will be epic when Johnsonville take on Upper Hutt next Saturday. Both teams will be evenly matched. When they clashed last time, Johnsonville prevailed 24-21 at Helston Park.

Player of the day was without doubt Tiwi Davies. His 26 point haul included 2 tries and a couple of monster penalty kicks that went over. His kicking will be very handy in the final against Upper Hutt Rams.

Hardham Cup semi-final report: Upper Hutt Rams v Avalon

The Upper Hutt Rams marched into the Hardham Cup semi-final with a 44-16, seven tries to two demolition of the Avalon Wolves.

The Rams turned it on in the Maidstone Park sun before a good sized crowd as befitting a Hutt Valley derby.

Avalon scored the game's opening try - good reward for starting the game more cohesively but a long range Joyner Key penalty and a sideline conversion to Upper Hutt's first to Max Pearson meant they went behind after 10 minutes and were never able to seriously challenge from there with the Rams scoring two more before the turnaround.

For all that, the game had a key moment when the referee David Walsh awarded Upper Hutt a penalty try after a Avalon defender deliberately slapped down a wide pass as the Rams' had a three to one overlap in the Avalon 22.

Avalon had a good period after that but any advances were undone when the hard running Troy Mohr scored to blow the margin out to more than 20.

The game also featured golden oldie scrums in the last quarter after Upper Hutt's starting and replacement loose-head props were injured. Safety applies but arguably some fizz went on of an already decided match.

Joyner Key's normal accuracy with his goal kicking deserted him, otherwise the score could easily have blown out further.

The Rams' open sider Mitchell Markov continued his stellar form and the young lock Vern Sosofo was both industrious and accurate in all he did.

Avalon's centre Jesse Oloapu was aggressive in attack and central to his side’s best play while the loose forward trio was hungry and effective.

The Rams will go to Porirua Park with some confidence but also knowing a better sustained effort will be needed to take out the silverware.

Lower grades

The Premier Reserve grade continued to heat up today.

Hutt Old Boys Marist eased joined Old Boys-University at the top of the Ed Chaney Cup table after the Eagles beat third placed Poneke 53-24.

OBU defeated Norths 39-21 at the Basin Reserve, while Wainuiomata smoked Johnsonville 67-12 in the HD Morgan Memorial Cup. MSP beat Paremata-Plimmerton 92-12 in a crossover game, in the grade’s biggest win of the day.

The Ed Chaney Cup semi-finals will see HOBM and OBU hosting home playoffs. Poneke have booked third spot, with MSP and Norths fighting it out for the last spot next week. In the HD Morgan Memorial, Ories have booked a home semi-final, wuth Wainuiomata and the Upper Hutt Rams also confirmed top four starters.

In the First Grade Johnsonville Centennium Cup, first round winners the Petone Brotherhood sustained their first loss of the season. The Brotherhood missed out to Old Boys University 29-21.

The HOBM Barbarians are the new leaders, beating mid-table Northern United 40-22, whilst there were three defaults in the other three games.

Old Boys University Green have all but won the first round Paris Memorial Trophy Colts competition, defeating Avalon 23-7 under lights on Friday night.

The Upper Hutt Rams, the only side that can mathematically catch them to finish top for a home semi-final should they stumble badly next week, defeated Poneke 41-31. Norths have slipped to third equal, alongside HOBM after the Junior Eagles won by default over Johnsonville.

OBU Green, the Upper Hutt Rams, Norths and HOBM are the confirmed top four.

In the Paul Potiki Shield U85kg Division One competition, the Poneke Cavs are the new leaders after they defeated the Tawa Titans 7-6 this afternoon.

In another key result, the Wellington Light-Axemen defeated the Onslow OBU Bunnies 11-8, meaning the Titans are second equal with the Bunnies.

The other two matches saw the HOBM Howlers beat MSP Red 17-7 and Johnsonville defeat Eastbourne 52-10. The Avalon Wolves had the bye.

Stokes Valley are still unbeaten in the U85kg Division 2 competition after six round, beating the Upper Hutt Rams 36-21.

The Poneke Ruffnuts remain unbeaten this season, beating the Johnsonville Cripples 33-15 in their Week 2 Reserve Grade fixture.

In other matches today, Wellington College defeated Rongotai College 20-14 this afternoon to qualify for next weekend’s Wellington WelTec First XV semi-finals, along with St Pat’s Town, who defeated Wairarapa College 76-0 in the other quarterfinal.

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