OBU and HOBM teams to meet in Colts Final

It’s green versus green but only one will take the silverware. The Old Boys University Green and Hutt Old Boys Marist Green teams square off at the Hutt Recreation Ground on Sunday morning at 10.30 am in the final of the John E Kelly Memorial Cup Division 1 Colts grade.

This is the first of three finals on the day, to be followed by the Hardham Cup and Jubilee Cup deciders, and on paper little separates the sides, who go into the final with near-identical season records.

Defending champions Old Boys University have the slight edge having won all their games this season and beaten HOBM twice. Both these matches were close. In the first round Paris Memorial Trophy decider OBU prevailed 25-20 and then three weeks later in the John E Kelly round-robin OBU won 19-13. These two losses have been HOBM’s only two defeats in 2013.

In the first round OBU scored 259 points and conceded 76, while HOBM scored 238 and let in 77. In seven round-robin games in the second round OBU scored 214 points and let in 81 and HOBM crossed for 215 points and conceded 102.

In last Saturday’s semi-finals OBU defeated Wellington 34-10 and HOBM beat Norths 40-17.

Following the loss mid-season to England of their top scorer Tom James, OBU’s leading points scorer is fullback Sam Chamberlain with six tries and a further 65 points off the kicking tee. Chamberlain is one of four players to have scored six tries this season. HOBM’s top points scorer is fullback James Bailey with 160 points, while No. 8 John Tufele and wing Lance Taulala are the joint leading try scorers with eight apiece.

OBU captain and openside flanker Francis McKeefry said his team is excited ahead of the final “It will be an awesome day of rugby and we are proud that we have made it far enough this season to be a part of it. The fields are always in good nick at the Hutt Rec so that’ll give both teams a good chance to play some flowing, attractive footy.”

Francis said that the strength of his team this year has been the depth of their squad. "There is real competition for spots 1 through 15 so there are no real stars in the team. If there is anything to expect from the boys it is some pretty slick back moves and some real pace out wide. The forwards will keep going all day and aren’t afraid to rough it in the contact or close quarter stuff.”

Francis added that HOBM will be hard to beat. “No doubt HOBM have been our biggest rivals and the toughest opponent we’ve faced all year. Similar to us, they are a well drilled team with strong set-piece and some good ball runners. If we can maintain a solid D line and minimise the influence of their outside backs and hard runners, it will go a long way to ensuring we come out the right side of the scoreboard.”

HOBM captain and lock Vaughan Samuelu said his side is looking forward to the challenge. “This is what our team has been working toward the whole season, he said. “Our overall goal was to win round two, so we are excited to have put ourselves in this position. To have the opportunity to play at home is a real privilege.”

Vaughan also said the HOBM is well balanced, adding: “We like to play with ball in hand when we can as we have strong ball carriers in John Tufele and Lise Soloa. Our halves are creative with Matt Poole’s vision, and our fullback James Bailey can knock a penalty over from good distance.

”Vaughan added that OBU will be tough. “OBU are a well drilled team and play a very structured game. We learnt some valuable lessons from our previous encounters with them. We know they have solid defence so we will have show patience and discipline.”

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About the John E Kelly Memorial Cup

The John E Kelly Memorial Cup that they are playing for was donated to the WRFU by the Wellington Football Club for play in the Under 21 Division 1 Competition in 1985. The trophy is in memory of Wellington’s late Club Captain, John E Kelly, who died of cancer. John played and administrated rugby with the Wellington Club for many years and had the privilege of playing alongside his young son.

The past 14 winners have been:

1999 St Pat's Silverstream
2000 HOBM/MSP
2001 Norths
2002 MSP
2003 Poneke
2004 Poneke
2005 Upper Hutt
2006 Petone/Norths
2007 Petone
2008 Upper Hutt
2009 Upper Hutt
2010 Norths
2011 MSP
2012 OBU Green

Teamlists (subject to change on the day):

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?Old Boys University Green:

1.?? ?Heinrich Swartz (New Plymouth Boys’ HS)
2.?? ?Zac Nevison (Napier Boys’ HS)
3.?? ?Morgan Poi (Napier Boys’ HS)
4.?? ?Karl Dumelow (St Patrick College Town)
5.?? ?Zac Power (Francis Douglas Memorial College
6.?? ?Sam McGettigan (Napier Boys’ HS)
7.?? ?Francis McKeefry (Captain, Wanganui Collegiate)
8.?? ?James McDougall (New Plymouth Boys’ HS)
9.?? ?Mat Fowler (Paraparaumu College)
10.?? ?Levi Kemp?(Gisborne Boys’ HS)
11.?? ?Lachlan Bunn?(New Plymouth Boys’ HS)
12.?? ?Matt Summerell?(Wellington College)
13.?? ?George Vaeau??(Waitaki Boys’ College)
14.?? ?Tim Smith??(Christ’s College)
15.?? ?Sam Chamberlain?(Christ’s College)

16.?? ?Sam Horgan?(Wanganui Collegiate)
17.?? ?Rawiri Wehipeihana?(Paraparaumu College)
18.?? ?Hamish Vance?(Scots College)
19.?? ?Matt Barlett?(Hastings Boys’ HS)
20.?? ?James Prescott?(Wellington College)
21.?? ?Doug Bradley?(St Peters ?College [Cambridge])
22.?? ?Jesse Tuke?(St Kentigen College)?


Hutt Old Boys Marist Green:

1.?? ?Saio Salevao (St Pat’s Silverstream)
2.?? ?Harry McVey (St Pat’s Silverstream)
3.?? ?Tasi Fidow (St Pat’s Town)
4.?? ?David Filipo (St Bernard’s)
5.?? ?Vaughan Samuelu (Captain, St Bernard’s)
6.?? ?Lise Soloa (St Bernards)
7.?? ?Matt Sleith (HIBS)
8.?? ?John Tufele (St Bernard’s)
9.?? ?Matt Poole (St Pat’s Silverstream) ?
10.?? ?Keni Alesana (St Bernard’s)
11.?? ?Lance Tauala (Porirua College)
12.?? ?Frances Vaaua (St Bernard’s)
13.?? ?Tayla McGregor (Hutt Valley HS)
14.?? ?Steve Evans (Hutt Valley HS)
15.?? ?James Bailey (Paraparaumu College)

16.?? ?Sione Alofi (St Bernard’s)
17.?? ?Tene Malaki (Taita College)
18.?? ?Mike Filipo (St Pat’s Silverstream)
19.?? ?Vincent Sosefo (St Pat’s Silverstream)
20.?? ?Shale Tangianau (St Pat’s Silverstream)
21.?? ?Jon-Marc Stowers (St Bernard’s)
22.?? ?Ben Peni (Naenae College)