Swindale Shield on tenterhooks as Frontrunners Tawa and MSP both defeated

Above: The weather was fine and sunny, but OBU and Avalon Senior 1 players got their first taste of mud on Saturday in their clash at Ian Galloway Park.

Story updated: Including headline mistake: The race for the top eight Jubilee Cup spots for the second half of the season is on tenterhooks.

Frontrunners Tawa and Marist St Pat's both lost today and significant wins for several teams in the chasing pack has made for a frantic final fortnight of first round rugby for fans to ponder with Swindale Shield silverware and top eight Jubilee Cup places on the line.

Losses to Tawa and Marist St Pat's hasn't changed the order at the top, with Tawa out in front on 39 points and MSP a win back on 34. The Swindale Shield is almost certainly going to be sitting the clubrooms of one of these two teams on the evening of 31 May.

Tawa went down 27-31, losing their first match since early July last and their first at home at Lyndhurst Park since early June 2012. Petone's first win over Tawa since 2009 also saw them re-claim the Bill Brien Challenge Shield, being the team that Tawa won it off early last year. Full match report of this game below.

Marist St Pat's went down to Eastern Suburbs rivals Oriental-Rongotai 16-23. A gallant MSP pushed Ories close after playing the entire second half with 14 men after No.8 Nemani Waaka was red carded just prior to halftime for a dangerous tackle.

Down 9-17 at halftime, MSP regrouped and were awarded a penalty try to close the deficit to 16-17. Ories first five-eighth James Proctor, who had earlier combined with his Hurricane brother Matt for one of two first half tries, added two penalties and they took the points.

It's the chasing pack where the Swindale Shield is, once again, proving an electric competition for Wellington's sports fans to follow.

The situation is that seven teams are in a cauldron of intensity chasing six positions Jubilee Cup positions over the last two weekends of first round rugby in 2014.

With a maxiumum of 10 points up for grabs, there is currently eight points seperating third placed Wainuiomata on 28 points and ninth placed Northern United on 20.

Only Johnsonville and Poneke (both on 9 points) and Wellington (7) are out of 'top eight' reckoning, meaning these sides will definately be playing in the Premier 2 Hardham Cup come June.

Norths currently find themselves on the outer, after going down 31-33 to Hutt Old Boys Marist in today's thriller.

On their Old Timers' Day, HOBM replacement halfback Sheridan Rangihuna kicked the winning penalty on fulltime to lift the Eagles to sixth on 26 points.

HOBM had led 14-3 early on the back of tries to wings Chase Tiatia - his seventh of the competition so far - and Brian Lima. HOBM advanced their lead to 21-14 at halftime and then to 10 points soon after, but were forced to survive a withering comeback from Norths who took the lead only to see it evaporate at the end.

Wainuiomata lead the chasing pack in third on 28 points and are the only side other than Tawa and MSP who can mathematically win this year's Swindale Shield.

Wainuiomata grabbed their fifth straight win today, overcoming Johnsonville 23-10. But like most sides before them, Wainuiomata found Johnsonville a tough oppoent to wear down. Johnsonville's Hurricanes midfielder Hadleigh Parkes scored early to put them ahead 7-6, before the green and blacks bit back to lead 11-10 at halftime.

Further tries to openside flanker Greg Leolofi, latching on to a John Monu Ron Jarden centering kick, and two to pacy wing threequarter Jason Love gave them victory.

The Upper Hutt Rams are seventh on 25 points, beating Poneke 37-20 and scoring a bonus point try on fulltime.

In a lively game at Kilbirnie Park for the Alby Makeham Shield, the Upper Hutt Rams pulled clear of Poneke in the second half after leading 20-17 at halftime. Both sides scored two tries apiece in the first half, including a double for halfback Hayden Schrijvers, but it was a Ben Aoina penalty that proved the difference.

Poneke were right in the game, and remained so throughout the contest, but handling errors and too many penalties at the breakdown in what was a spirited loose forward battle, killed off their chances.

Poneke missed their chance when hooker Morgan Tilbin was sinbinned early in the second spell and Poneke immediately drew level to 20-20. But instead, hulking No. 8 Mat Lumanau burst through to score to put the Rams ahead 27-20.

Aoina extended this lead to 30-20, before weight of pressure told at the end and the Rams sealed the widest winning margin of the day on fulltime.

Old Boys University battled hard to quell the challenge of the Wellington Axemen, eventually winning 31-22.

No. 8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas scored their last try to give them a bonus point win, after halfback Luke Campbell had scored their first try from a quick tap and openside flanker Tom Lawday had also scored early. But Wellington fullback Jaco De Waal also crossed and the Billy Goats led just 14-10 late in the first half.

It was a top drawer day for Old Boys-University's leading men's sides, their Senior 1 side knocking off one of the hottest properties in any of the competitons, Avalon.

OBU beat Avalon 20-16 in significant result for their Hardham Cup chances.

Still out in Front on 40 points and assured of making the Hardham Cup round, Avalon now must dig deep to claim the first round Harper Lock Shield.

MSP are in seocnd on 36 points after they defeated Ories 46-10, the only side that can win the Harper Lock Shield outright with two rounds to play.

Avalon and MSP meet next week at Fraser Park in a big clash.

OBU's win over Avalon has lifted them to third on 30 points, ahead of the chasing group of several teams gunning to finish inside the top four and make the Hardham Cup.

Another key Senior 1 result today was the Upper Hutt Rams beating Paremata-Plimmerton 17-13, on the latter's Old Timers' Day at Ngatitoa Domain.

Other results saw Petone's second team beat Tawa's 38-17, HOBM's overcome Norths' 38-10 and Wainuiomata beat a struggling Wests Roosters 27-0.

In the Senior 2 National Mutual Cup, Poneke came out all guns blazing and knocked over the Norths third XV 127-5, and Auckland-like club rugby score.

Leaders the Wellington Axemen had a much tougher day, defeating Johnsonville 21-8, but the other three games today were more one-sided. OBU defeated Stokes Valley 41-6, Avalon overcame MSP 48-21 and Petone beat the Upper Hutt Rams 60-5.

In one Division 1 Colts game to hand, the defending champions Old Boys University Green outfit ousted Northern United 52-0 in a top of the table fifth round clash between two of the previously unbeaten teams.

OBU were clinical in this match at Te Whaea, leading 22-0 at halftime and effectively sealing victory five minutes into the second half when they pounced on one of many Norths' dropped balls and their openside flanker raced away to make it 29-0.

As well as being deadly on attack, OBU's defence was outstanding, Norths making only a couple of line breaks all game. Both OBU's locks played well, as did their fullback who ran back well the generous ball that Norths kicked to him all match.

It was a game of two halves in OBU's Women's Fleurs Trophy match against Wainuiomata. OBU led 12-0 at halftime, but Wainuiomata came back to win 36-12.

The other three games were not so close. Leaders Ories defeated Poneke 84-0, Norths beat Tawa 84-0 as well and Avalon beat Stokes Valley 65-0.

Boilover at Lyndhurst as the Villagers take the spoils.

Lyndhurst Park was baked in sunshine and with a large contingent of Tawa supporters scattered around the ground; the match against Petone was shaping up to be a cracker.

"And now make some noise for your Tawa wolf pack" the ground announcer cried out.

Petone suffered a cruel blow before kickoff with former Bay of Plenty representative prop Mike Kainga ruled out with injury. He was replaced by Tyrell Vai.

The game started off promising for the Villagers building phases and looking good on attack.

But a loopy pass was thrown by last year's NZ Secondary Schools fullback Sam McNicol. Although he was attempting to link up with second five eighth Nick Grigg, the ball was intercepted by Tawa centre Tu Umaga-Marshall as he scampered away for a try that brought the 300 strong crowd to their feet. First five James So'oialo added the extras.

Both sides traded penalties moments later. So'oialo kicked his first penalty of the afternoon and Petone halfback Carne Green got his team on the board.

The rest of the first half involved Petone producing wave after wave of attack. Tawa's defence initially held firm but a gaping hole in midfield allowed former Manawatu rep Lewis Marshall to slice through for a well worked try.

Green added the 2 and the scoreline was 10-all at the break.

Whatever was put in Petone's oranges at half time seemed to work because they hit straight back.

In a stroke of irony, Sam McNicol intercepted the ball out wide and raced away to score outsprinting Tawa fullback Randall Bishop en route.

Tawa hit back with a try to reserve winger Kalim Kelemete after Petone flanker Jacob Gooch was pinged for not releasing the ball. The try came from a won lineout and superb backline play. So'oialo added the 2 and it was Tawa leading by 3 points 20 - 17 with 10 minutes to go.

In the last 10 minutes, it was a case of comenth the hour, comenth the man.

First five Riki Flutey scored two tries in quick succession, the first slicing through a gap and the second a fending of Alfred Pelenise before charging in. Carne Green kicked both conversions through the posts. 31 - 20 to the Villagers.

The Petone supporters whooped in delight and thought they had the game won with 4 minutes to go.

But a try to Alfred Pelenise brought the home crowd back into life and after the conversion was slotted, it made for a big finish.

Petone were pinged for slowing the ball at the breakdown and Tawa fed the ball off a lineout to the ever reliable Pati Gaualofa who looks destined to play a second NPC season for Wellington.

Gaualofa rumbled the ball up near the Petone tryline. However reserve halfback Jono Boyd was deemed surplus to requirements as the forwards were content to just pick and go.

Petone's outstanding defence during the closing stages of the game were rewarded when referee Garratt Williamson penalised Tawa for not rolling away. Backchat followed and Petone marched 10metres upfield.???????????????????

The Villagers hung on for the win 31 - 27 against a Tawa side who were determined to not lie down. They also took away the Bill O'Brien Challenge Cup.

Flutey fittingly had the final say and booted the ball into the bush surrounding the ground. At 34 years old, his experienced playing career with the British and Irish Lions, Hurricanes, England and London Wasps came to the fore as he guided his young team around the paddock. He also produced some brilliant wipers kicks and touchfinders.

The win meant so much to Petone. They toiled hard on defence and aside from the blip early in the first half when Umaga-Marshall intercepted the ball, made the most of their opportunities on attack.

Petone number 8 Mateaki Kafatolu put in an outstanding effort. He attacked the breakdown with vigour and put in some strong carries and tackles throughout the contest.

Fullback Tamati Samuels constantly asked questions of the Tawa defence with his jinking runs.

For Tawa their first loss of the season will put a slight dent in the confidence, but they look very likely to run out Swindale Shield champions with two rounds to go.

Pati Gaualofa, Tawa College Old Boy Sam Blair and the big unit James Coburn were inspirational for the home side with their work at the breakdown as they showed what a magnificent culture the defending champions built last year.

The Petone supporters will enjoy this one as victories at Lyndhurst Park have been hard to come by for teams this season.

Petone will move into the top 4 after the win and they'll go into their next two matches with a massive swagger in their step.

Tawa will look to bounce back next weekend when they take on OBU at the Basin.

Petone return home to their beloved rec, facing another stern test against Ories. Both teams are tied 4^th.

But as the old clich? goes, rugby was the winner on the day where an epic battle unfolded.