Stalemate At Porirua As Hutt Go Top

Hutt Old Boys Marist and Old Boys-University are the two unbeaten teams in the Swindale Shield after previously unbeaten Northern United and Petone battled each other to a 15-15 stalemate in the major clash of the third round at Porirua Park on Saturday.

HOBM head the students at the top of the table by a bonus point after their third straight victory netted them a 22-3 win over Wainuiomata at home and Old Boys-University breezed past the Wests Roosters 27-6 away at Ian Galloway Park.

The two frontrunners have moved ahead of the chasing pack that includes Petone and Norths just behind in third and fourth, while Wainuiomata slips from second equal to seventh equal.

In other third round matches played in bright sunshine and in stark contrast to a dreary opening fortnight, Marist St. Pat's won the battle of Kilbirnie to beat Poneke 28-6, Upper Hutt overpowered Oriental-Rongotai at the Polo Ground 33-9 and Tawa accounted for Avalon 25-13 at Fraser Park.

At Porirua, both teams had chances to seize what would have been important victories, but weren't able to finish most of the many opportunities created. Long-serving Petone wing Willie Moala scored the second of his two tries to see his side ahead 12-8 in the second half with Petone reduced to 14 men at the time through a sinbinning. Norths openside Dean Brunsdon put his team ahead 15-12 when he took a quick tap and dived for the line. But Petone first five-eighth Frae Wilson evened it up at the end with a penalty.

The slick OBU backs machine was in good working order against the Roosters, scoring all five tries including the first hat trick of the 2008 Wellington club season to left winger Beau Brown. Tawa's Nigel Hunt sparked his side to a three tries to two win over a Thomas Waldrom inspired Avalon outfit, JP Tocker scored a double for MSP against Poneke and HOBM's four tries were shared around after leading Wainui by just 5-3 at halftime.

The club weekly was at the pleasant Polo Ground surroundings where Oriental-Rongotai suffered their third straight defeat, losing by the unflattering scoreline of 33-9.

For Ories the main disappointment from this result wasn't so much in the final score that showed they had been outscored four tries to none but in the manner in which they lost - turning a much closer match into a comfortable defeat over the last 25 minutes of the second half. Ories lost a game by over 20 points that they were right in early in the second half as much through their own ill-discipline and poor concentration than the rousing play of their visitors.

Ories had trailed 13-3 Upper Hutt at the halftime break. But with a growing Miramar breeze in their favour and on the back of plenty of positive and entertaining attacking rugby either side of halftime, they had closed the deficit to 13-9 after 50 minutes.

Just as their hopes of an encouraging come-from-behind victory appeared possible, Ories then seemed to collectively lose their way and they allowed Upper Hutt back into the game, an opportunity the visiting team gratefully accepted as they finished the game with three further tries and 20 unanswered points.

But while Ories switched off, much credit went to Upper Hutt for sticking to their structured game plan, and in particular their hard working front five. In a clash of the titans up front, it was Upper Hutt's big men in the shape of props Pasifika Ieremia and Tui Hunt and hooker Joe Ritchie - the latter pair veterans of their 2005 Swindale Shield campaign - that came to the fore.

The Upper Hutt pack forced Ories into mistakes inside their own 22. First five-eighth Ben Aoina kicked a penalty to extend their lead to 16-9. This was followed by another penalty near the Ories line, from which Upper Hutt opted for a lineout drive and then spun the ball across Ories' posts and sent centre Chris Puketapu over for a try to make it 21-9.

More Ories ill discipline presented Aoina with another penalty shot soon after, only for it to hit the left hand uprights. But in the scramble for the loose ball, Upper Hutt's chasers caught Ories napping on their goal line and wing Sam Williamson pounced over the line for another try. This time Aoina converted and it was game over at 28-9 with 15 minutes remaining.

Ories responded and should have hit back with a try following a converted period of pressure at the other end of the field, but instead Upper Hutt weathered their attacks, worked their way up field and scored their bonus point try to fullback Nua Fono on fulltime.

Earlier, Upper Hutt had established a ten-point lead in almost as many minutes through two Aoina penalties and a well created team try scored by left wing Ofa Pongi involving some strong lead up work by the forwards and some slick passing out wide.

On the strength of this victory, Upper Hutt certainly appear to be top eight contenders this year. Their defence and organisation at the breakdown is excellent and they have experience in key areas, such as the front row, at blindside through captain Blair Cowan and at halfback-first five through Daniel Beckett and Aoina. They also have a new New Zealand U20 rep in their ranks in No.8 Matt Luamanu who will be a force for them when available.

It's back to the training field for Ories, who have the power up front and the talent and experience out wide in names such as Nonu (Samson), Pakau, Tuma'ai, Aukuso and Sola, but just need to harness it. Otherwise 2008 could become another long season for them and their supporters.

In lower grade news, Norths, HOBM and Johnsonville are all unbeaten after three rounds of the Senior 1 Harper Lock Shield. Norths were comfortable 40-13 winners over Petone, while Johnsonville edged out Rimutaka 16-13 and HOBM saw off Paremata-Plimmerton.

Wellington also made it three from three in the Senior 2 National Mutual Cup when they saw off Johnsonville 43-5, while Johnsonville are the early leaders in the Fleurs Trophy Women's competition after beating Old Boys-University 66-5 for their second successive bonus point win.