Upper Hutt March On Towards Swindale Success

Round 6 Review Upper Hutt maintained their perfect record in round six of the Swindale Shield with a hard-fought victory over Johnsonville. Only one point behind Upper Hutt at the halfway stage of the competition is Norths, who gained a four-try bonus point in their win over Poneke. Western Suburbs continued to impress in demolishing Oriental-Rongotai, and are third equal with Marist St. Pats who accounted for Tawa. Avalon won their local derby against Petone, while Hutt Old Boys Marist won the battle for the wooden spoon against Old Boys-University.

In this week?s feature match at Lyndhurst Park MSP narrowly beat Tawa. Tawa scored the game?s only two tries, but MSP first five-eighth Sam Rasch kicked three penalties in each half, which were enough to earn MSP four valuable competition points.

Very few try scoring opportunities were created by either side. Much of the game was an arm-wrestle fought out in the middle of the field. Tawa?s ill discipline at the wrong end of the field and at crucial stages was ultimately the difference. Rasch kicked well and he was successful with six penalties from eight attempts at goal.

MSP failed to capitalise with the stiff wind behind them in the first half. They weren?t patient enough and wasted possession with inaccurate kicking. Tawa?s forwards fought hard to establish parity and they competed well early on. It was Tawa who broke the deadlock in the 24th minute with a try to second five-eighth Jon Masaga, following a charge down off a MSP clearing kick inside its 22. MSP were caught short out wide and Masaga dotted down unopposed in the corner

After earlier missing two long-range attempts, Rasch then kicked three penalties to give MSP a shaky 9-5 lead at the break. Tawa scored their second try just three minutes into the second half. Left wing Junior Togia pounced on a spilt ball from a MSP breakdown in the midfield and sprinted 40 metres to score. Centre Willie Lafaele converted and Tawa led 12-9.

Rasch responded with two penalties in the next ten minutes to see his side inch ahead 15-12, before Lafaele evened it up with a penalty on the three quarter mark. By now MSP?s advantage up-front began to tell and they kept their play tight and organised. Racsh was presented with another penalty in the 66th minute, which he kicked and MSP held on to win.

It was Old Timer?s Day at the Hutt Recreation Ground, where HOBM moved away from the bottom of the ladder by beating OBU. Despite trailing 5-9 at halftime, HOBM got their noses firmly in front in the second spell and held on. Up the road at Fraser Park Avalon were always ahead of Petone in their clash, while Upper Hutt beat Johnsonville in an error ridden, scrappy encounter at Helston Park.

More convincing were both Norths and Wests. Norths first five-eighth Rob Aloe was the star of the show as he scored 19 points, including two tries in his side?s comfortable win over Poneke at Porirua Park. Wests scored four unanswered tries and first five-eighth Scott Leighton kicked 19 points in their demolition of Ories at Ian Galloway Park. With the best attacking record in the competition to date, Wests are on target for a successful season.

Swindale Shield top points scorers (after six rounds):

Scott Leighton (Wests) 91
Riki Flutey (Petone) 59
Brad Cooper (Poneke) 51
Rob Aloe (Norths) 47
Sam Rasch (MSP) 45
Cory Aporo (Upper Hutt) 44
Willie Lafaele (Tawa) 43
Fa'atonu Fili (MSP) 42
Corey Burt (Jville) 41
Jonathon Bentley (HOBM) 36
Peato Lafaele (Norths) 33
Cameron Cross (Avalon) 33
Mano Flutey (Avalon) 25
Randell Walker (OBU) 24
Gene Johnston (Tawa) 22


Swindale Shield top try scorers (after six rounds):

Vila Apu?ula (Avalon) 4
Shaun O'Conner (Poneke) 4
Siaosi Anamani (Norths) 4
Rob Aloe (Norths) 4
Malakai Kisina (HOBM) 4
Misiluni Moananu (Poneke) 3
Roy Kinikinilau (Ories) 3
Willie Moala (Petone) 3
Peato Lafaele (Norths) 3
Fraser Tane (Upper Hutt) 3
Hirini Robin (Tawa) 3
Jonathon Manu (HOBM) 3
Kane Thompson (Wests) 3
Willie Lafaele (Tawa) 3
Thomas Waldrom (Avalon) 3