Poneke Big Winners in First Round

Jubilee Cup 14 June: Multiple Jubilee Cup finalists Poneke emerged as the significant winners at the conclusion of first round matches played on Saturday.

Poneke caused a minor upset in beating Old Boys-University 25-8 in their local derby clash at Kilbirnie Park. The red and blacks, who recovered from a slow start in the Swindale Shield in which they lost four of their first five matches to finish sixth, scored three unanswered tries to pull away from OBU in the second half after trailing 8-0 late in the first half.

OBU struck first through left wing Sheldon Goodin, before Poneke replied through halfback Brad Faulkner, in his first Premier start for over a year. They then sealed their first round win through tries to left wing Ambrose Plaister and first five-eighth James Pointon late in the match.

Poneke were joined in the first round winner's circle by the top three sides from the Swindale Shield round, with Marist St. Pat's, Northern United and Petone all earning first-up bonus point victories.

Champions Marist St. Pat's extended their winning streak to eleven in overwhelming Oriental-Rongotai 41-12 at the Polo Ground after leading 11-5 just before halftime. But two penalties to prolific points scorer and first five-eighth Fa'atonu Fili, who cruised past 150 points for the season in this match, and a try to fullback Jackson Martin quickly saw them extend this lead. From there they cruised to a comfortable victory, featuring two tries to centre Brendan Watt.

Northern United also powered past their opposition, beating defending champions Hutt Old Boys Marist 26-11 after being ahead 11-6 just before the halftime interval and then 16-11 early in the second spell. But top Premier try scorer Sinoti To'omaga ensured maximum points for his side when he scored their fourth try to deny the visitors any points.

Petone were pressed hard by Upper Hutt at the Petone Recreation Ground, holding on to win 29-22 in a four tries to three victory.

Upper Hutt went close to causing a first round boilover against the more fancied Petone, their efforts contributing to a highly entertaining match with several spectacular tries scored by both sides.

Upper Hutt's 41-0 loss at the hands of MSP last week wasn't in any way a reflection of the power and punch of their forwards and speed and positive intent of their backs. First five-eighth Ben Aoina returned from illness and Tim Fairbrother was welcomed into the front row for his first start in Upper Hutt club colours for over two years.

Fairbrother and loosehead prop Tui Hunt's battle with their opposites props Thomas Tupuiavao and Hoani Tui was a highlight, as was the tussle in the loose exchanges, where Upper Hutt blindside Blair Cowan and Petone No. 8 Shaun Mahoney were both extraordinarily hard working all match.
The thrilling try scoring took centre stage, both teams matching each other in this department. There was also an element of drama at the end with the fast-finishing Upper Hutt desperately unlucky not to snatch a late draw.

Petone made it hard on themselves in the first quarter, missing several opportunities to post the opening points, including two clean breaks by centre Greg Walker and right wing Fautua Otto and two 35-metre penalty misses by first five-eighth Sam Rasch.

Captain for the day Chris Molenaar in the absence of an ill Eugene Smith eventually scored the first try, slipping a tackle and scoring near the posts after a lineout drive. Upper Hutt then hit back soon after with a well-worked try of their own, going wide off a lineout penalty inside Petone's 22, with Cowan and fullback Greg Tweddle sending right wing Ofa Pongi in for a try out wide.

Tweddle was then involved in the next key moment of the game, but for the wrong reasons - sent to the sin bin for killing the ball after another lightning Petone break had his team stretched in defence. This led to Petone's second try, Walker running around his marker and scoring their second converted try.

Upper Hutt hit back again, this time in spectacular fashion with left wing Sam Williamson chasing up and regathering a kick ahead from broken play by Aoina and catching the Petone cover defence napping. Aoina converted from 15 metres inside the touchline and Petone's lead was just 14-12 at halftime.

Petone then scored the first of two searing second half tries up the grandstand touchline to extend their lead, Mahoney linking up with debutant left wing Sam O'Leary who scored in the left hand corner.

Both kickers then exchanged penalties and Petone led 24-15 after 60 minutes, before a slicing run up the touchline by Otto and a pass in the tackle to fullback Lewis Marshall gave Petone their bonus point try and a 29-15 advantage.

But Upper Hutt remained dangerous and with the freshening wind behind them pressed hard for a comeback, and it came for Tweddle who atoned for his earlier indiscretion with a poetic weaving 40-metre run through and around the Petone defence to score untouched. Aoina's conversion made it 29-22 and Upper Hutt now had their tails up over the final ten minutes.

They almost scored in the corner with five minutes to go when Pongi knocked the ball on with the line in sight and one man to beat, and again moments later when second five-eighth spilled the ball forward just short of the line. Petone were just holding on when referee Murray blew his whistle for fulltime, leaving a relieved home side as they head into their round two fixture.

RESULTS 14 JUNE

Premier 1
Jubilee Cup

Oriental-Rongotai 12 - Marist St Pat's 41
Petone 29 - Upper Hutt 22
Northern United 26 - Hutt Old Boys Marist 11
Poneke 25 - Old Boys-University 8

Premier 2
Hardham Cup

Marist St Pat's 31 - Johnsonville 12
Wainuiomata 14 - Tawa 48
Northern United 26 - Rimutaka 14
Avalon 5 - Wests Roosters 25

Ed Chaney Cup
Senior 1

Oriental-Rongotai 21 - Marist St Pat's 22
Petone 45 - Upper Hutt 25
Hutt Old Boys Marist 32 - Wellington 8
Old Boys-University 4 - Paremata-Plimmerton 10
Poneke - Stokes Valley 12

HD Morgan Memorial Trophy
Senior 2

Avalon 12 - Wests Roosters 17
Petone 0 - Paremata-Plimmerton 68
Northern United 29 - Hutt Old Boys Marist 14
Johnsonville 3 - Old Boys-University 5
Tawa 10 - Poneke 10

Victoria Tavern Trophy
Women's Premier 2nd round

Old Boys-University 12 - Johnsonville 37
Stokes Valley 22 - Northern United 15