Eagles Soar High In Jubilee Cup, Norths Go On Another Rampage

Hutt Old Boys Marist stamped their mark on the 2007 Jubilee Cup with an empathic 64-0 round two win over the Wests Roosters. Following up their triumphant first round win last week against mud larks Poneke, HOBM cut loose in the Ian Galloway sunshine, overpowering the Roosters eight tries to nil. First five-eighth Jon Bentley added the extras, kicking every conversion.

HOBM are joined at the top of the table by Tawa and Marist St. Pats, who both enjoyed second round wins over Petone and Old Boys-University respectively. MSP overcame OBU 26-22 at Evans Bay Park, while Tawa won 30-18 at the Petone Recreation Ground.

In the round's other game, Northern United bounced back from their first-up defeat to MSP with a crushing 67-7 win over Poneke at home at Porirua Park. Norths also ran in eight tries, including a double to young halfback Faasalele Utopu. The defending champions once more struck terror into their opposition, getting on top early with two tries in the opening five minutes and building from there.

Tawa's win over Petone was also good reward for a more settled side now largely free of early season injuries. Tawa are making a habit of being fast out of the blocks against Petone in recent seasons. In the first round Petone fought back for a 21-21 draw after Tawa had established a 13-0 lead, this time Tawa's lead was 22-0 before Petone stirred. Halfback Cam Incledon, in his 100th premier match, started the comeback with a converted try as Petone trailed 23-18 late in the second half. But a? converted try to Tawa centre Willie Lafaele sealed the win and also gave the visitors an important bonus point.

Also staging a second half comeback were OBU against MSP in this week's Club Weekly feature match where MSP's ten-point first half lead was enough for them to register their second win, despite the best laid plans of OBU first five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth.

Hurricanes pivot Gopperth almost sparked the students to a second half comeback victory through his pinpoint tactical kicking and accurate goal kicking. Gopperth finished with six from six, including three well-drilled second half penalties, as well as putting his side on the front foot with the wind in his favour with a series of sweetly struck and accurate kicks.

With Gopperth directing the dangerous OBU backline, the students clawed back a 19-6 deficit early in the second half to trail 19-15 with ten minutes left on the clock. They should have taken the lead, but for a misdirected inside pass from hooker Daryl Gore to blindside Ian Kennedy that went to ground with the tryline in sight and a missed Gopperth dropped goal soon after.

Instead, MSP held their composure, defended admirably and held an edge in the forwards to keep the students at bay. Breaking out of their own half they rallied hard, stretching OBU out wide and sending openside and captain Craig Simeon over for the match saving try.

In response, OBU replied through centre Shannon Paku, with Gopperth's conversion making it 26-22, but they ran out of time to effect a win.

Strong defence, cohesive forward play and the accurate goal kicking of flyhalf Fa'atonu Fili were the cornerstones of a well-deserved win for MSP, continuing the form that saw them finish fourth in the Swindale Shield and get up to topple Norths in last week's Cup opener. They bring strength and depth up front in what also shapes as a settled combination ahead to the Air New Zealand Cup. In contrast to Norths who look set to lose several of their stars, only lock Bernie Upton looks likely to be lost to the Vodafone Wellington Lions from their current line-up

In Alex Tulou they also have a more than able replacement for Victor Vito at the back of the scrum. Hard working defensively and a dymamic runner, Tulou was the Club Weekly's standout performer in a close match dominated by several strong individual performances.

OBU were also left to rue a high error rate in the first half, their slick backs unable to capitalise on several generous attacking opportunities and the dangerous running of second five-eighth Paula Kinikinilau. Paku could have been better placed coming into the side at fullback and thus retaining Seminar Manu in the midfield.

MSP had earlier established a 6-0 lead, Fili striking two early penalties. The home side then struck a decisive blow on 25 minutes, Upton pinching an OBU defensive lineout and setting up a maul in perfect position. Hooker Ged Robinson peeled blindside and fed right wing and 2006 top try scorer Julian Tupai a try in the corner. Fili converted from the sideline and the home side led 13-0.

Gopperth (2) and Fili traded penalties and MSP turned into the wind at halftime leading 16-6, ahead of a competitive second 40 minutes.

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