Old Timers Day Optimism For Upper Hutt

The Upper Hutt faithful will be hoping for better things to cheer about on their Old Timers Day this weekend when they host Wainuiomata in this week's Club Weekly feature match.

There hasn't been a whole lot of fanfare at the club over the first month of the Swindale Shield, with defeats to Oriental-Rongotai, Avalon, Western Suburbs and Petone leaving them the only side without a win so far. But in a rematch of last year's Hardham Cup final won by Upper Hutt 25-12, the men in maroon will be optimistic of joining the winner's circle in their Maidstone Park clash. A bonus point win for Upper Hutt could also see them leapfrog Wainuiomata and either Avalon or Oriental-Rongotai, who meet each other in another key round five bottom of the table encounter.

Wainuiomata, coached by vastly experienced former player Earl Va'a, will be chasing their second win, after toppling Northern United 30-29 a fortnight ago. Since then they have sustained defeats to OBU and HOBM. Both sides have young and talented backs, but have so far been tested in the forwards, so whoever can win the battle up front should control this contest.

It's also Old Timers Day at the Polo Ground, where Ories will be hoping to reverse a four year losing streak to Avalon, including an unlucky one-point come from behind defeat to them at their last Miramar meeting in 2005.

At the Basin Reserve, OBU will be seeking to re-establish their campaign against an in-form Hutt Old Boys Marist who are coming off a 41-3 victory over Ories. Expect OBU to bounce back quickly from last week's debacle at Norths and reaffirm their title credentials.

In other matches, Norths head down the road to Lyndhurst Park to play Tawa in what's usually a hotly contested local derby - with the exception of last year's Jerry Collins inspired lopsided victory to Norths that saw them crowned Swindale Shield champions. In Kilbirnie, MSP resumes their rivalry with Petone, whilst Wests will be out to knock unbeaten Poneke off their perch at Kilbirnie Park.