HOBM Beat MSP To Capture First Jubilee Cup

Congratulations to Hutt Old Boys Marist, 2007 Jubilee Cup champions, defeating Marist St. Pat's 18-10 in Sunday's final at Westpac Stadium.

There were scenes of jubilation at the end from HOBM players and supporters alike as the euphoric Eagles grabbed their first Jubilee Cup title and became the fourth club in five years to capture Wellington club rugby's most coveted prize.

Patience and persistence were the keys to a well-deserved victory for HOBM in a tense final. HOBM outscored MSP two tries to one late in the match, after first five-eighth Jon Bentley had kicked his second penalty on 50 minutes to give the Hutt side a 6-3 lead.

HOBM had dominated MSP in both territory and possession throughout the match, but a combination of unforced errors, wrong option taking and steely MSP defence snuffed out several try scoring chances and kept the scoring tight.

But the dam of consistent pressure finally burst in the 63rd minute when replacement second five-eighth Malakai Kisina scooped up a fumbled Bentley pick-up pass off the ground and skipped through unopposed to score the easiest of tries.

Bentley's conversion from a handy angle hit the posts, but at 11-3 up with 15 minutes to play HOBM had one hand on the title.

Jubilee Cup finals are always close, and this was no different as MSP came storming back with a rare foray of attacking play inside HOBM's own 22, but HOBM's defence was equally effective, quickly dashing hopes of a famous comeback.

Instead their tight forwards, who had been outstanding with their pick-and-go and driving play, quickly reasserted their ascendancy and probed for the match winner.

It came to them on a platter, a desperate MSP forced to try and break out from their own goal line, centre Chris Slade firing a Hail Mary skip-out pass to his left winger Jope Naubo, only for HOBM centre Michael Pehi to pounce on and score the clincher.

Bentley's conversion from the sideline was successful, and at 18-3 behind the Vatican Army was silenced.

Slade crossed for a consolation try on fulltime, which he converted himself, closing the final score to 18-10.

But it had been all one-way traffic for HOBM, getting the better of the first half and camping inside MSP's 22 for much of the second. Presented with few chances in the opening 40 minutes, the second half increasingly became more of a battle of survival for MSP who simply couldn't get into the game - who turned the ball over too muchand lacked attacking spark.?

In fact HOBM made it hard on themselves after halftime, too often going wide and making mistakes, rather than keeping it through their well-drilled pack.

Superb defence by MSP was also a factor, openside Victor Vito saving one certain try in front of his goalposts off an attacking HOBM scrum, cutting down his opposite Jason Risdon with inches to spare.

In the end they won well, long-serving lock Polonga Pedro and hooker Steve Silva standing out up front and unheralded flankers Ash Parker and Jason Risdon also impressive with their terrier-like work at the breakdowns.

Risdon's brother and halfback Nick was awarded the Jim Brown Memorial Medal for player of the Jubilee Cup final.

For MSP, halfback Reece Poutawera was threatening early, flying wing Naubo looked likely given limited opportunities and captain and blindside Craig Simeon ran on strongly to the end.

Meanwhile, the fairytale continued for Wainuiomata in the earlier Hardham Cup final, holding on to beat Oriental-Rongotai 26-17.

Petone beat Wainuiomata 25-7 to win the John E Kelly Cup in the U21 final played on Saturday.

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