Wainuiomata Stuns Norths

Wainuiomata have sent a strong warning to the rest of their Swindale Shield rivals that they are not to be taken lightly after upsetting reigning champions Northern United by one point at William Jones Park.

With All Black Piri Weepu playing a leading hand at first five-eighth, Wainuiomata leapt to an early lead before Norths clawed their way back.

In front of an anxious home crowd, the young Wainuiomata side hung on 30-29 to score the biggest upset seen in recent seasons.

Old Boys University travelled to the Petone Recreation Ground and were convincing in steamrolling Petone 25-3 in beautiful autumn conditions.

Shannon Paku was in devastating form for OBU, scoring a brace of tries and setting up another.

The students have now recorded two emphatic victories in a row and shape as genuine contenders for the Swindale Shield crown.

At Ian Galloway Park, Wests rebounded from last weeks thumping by Old Boys University to pick up their first win of the season.

In a tense arm wrestle, Wests broke a 10-10 deadlock when first five-eighth Toby Robson knocked over a penalty from in front to secure the 13-10 win for the Roosters.

After last weeks heart breaking loss to Poneke, Marist St Pats were made to work hard for their 32-21 victory over Oriental-Rongotai.

At Fraser Park, Avalon handed Upper Hutt their second straight loss by disposing of the Hardham Cup champions 25-13.

In this week’s feature game, Poneke ran in six exciting tries to see off a slow-starting Hutt Old Boys Marist side 39-25 at the Hutt Recreation Ground.

From the outset Poneke were intent on attack and the structured HOBM game plan struggled to contain the men from Kilbirnie.

In wings Marika Kau and Ambrose Plaister, Poneke have two of the most exciting finishers in club rugby, and the pair didn’t take long to get into the action, both scoring first half tries.

The HOBM scrum and lineout worked effectively, while inspirational flanker Polonga Pedro was a terrier in the loose, but it was the backline that lacked any imagination with first five-eighth Jonathan Bentley relying on cross field kicks as an attacking option.

In one of their only first half forays into Poneke territory, HOBM managed to get on the board through the reliable boot of Bentley.

A halftime score of 12-3 score soon turned into 22-3 as explosive number eight Chris Brightwell and electric wing Kau both crossed for tries.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, HOBM ignored an easy shot at goal when halfback Nick Risdon took a quick tap from a penalty and darted in front of the Poneke defence to put fullback James Kusell over for a try.

Throwing caution to the wind, HOBM spread the ball at every opportunity and were rewarded when Kusell found a gap to bag his second try.

At 22-15, HOBM were a real of chance of snatching a win from the coals of the fire, but centre Dwayne Waterman dampened the home crowd’s spirits when he crossed for a try in the corner.

Pedro was rewarded for his fine performance when he crossed for a try, but it was all in consolation as Waterman's second try stretched Poneke’s winning margin to 39-25.

Although they conceded six tries, HOBM will still be a hard team to beat this season. In Jeremy Thrush, Steven Bradshaw and Polonga Pedro, the Eagles have the strongest lineout in the competition, while young first five-eighth Jonathan Bentley has emerged as one of the most astute tactical players on the club scene. Don’t write off the Eagles just yet.