Updated: Norths and Wainuiomata win Thursday night Swindale matches

UPDATES 2:

In two Swindale Shield fixtures this evening, Wainuiomata have made it two from two with a 31-16 win over the Wellington Axemen (h/t 12-13) and Northern United have opened their account for 2023 with a 28-24 win over Avalon (h/t 21-7). Round 2 continues on Saturday.

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Norths had to survive a fast-finishing Avalon Wolves side, who came back from 12-28 down to score their third and fourth tries. They pushed Norths close at the end but twice knocked on close to or over the line, the second time from a penalty after fulltime. Avalon started both halves well, but Norths were ultimately too strong in the set-pieces and two tries to No. 8 Luca Rees proved telling.

The Wainuiomata – Wellington match for the Bill Jones Cup was tight as well, with Wellington holding a 13-12 lead at halftime, but Wainuiomata got their noses in front early in the second spell and maintained their lead to the end, pulling away late to win 31-16.

Five Swindale Shield matches to come on Saturday.

• In one Colts fixture tonight, the Marist St Pat’s Colts beat the Wellington Axemen Colts 55-5.

Swindale Shield teamlists as received/published and draw for this weekend on the Draws & Results page HERE 

Defending Jubilee Cup winners Northern led Petone 3-0 early in their final replay match last Saturday, before being over-run 41-3. They will hope to re-set and earn their first win of the season in their first home match against Avalon.

Norths have made a handful of changes for tonight’s clash. Their backline sees Kade Parata making his starting debut at first five and Dudley Parsons moving to second five and Deni Lauvi out to the wing for Deni Caucau. In three changes to the forwards, Jerome Vaai starts for Herman Fiu at hooker, Sia Ulugia -Mao at lock for Boston Hunt and Jeremiah Collins for Callum Watts-Pointer at openside flanker.

The Wolves missed out 41-17 to Marist St Pat’s in their opener last Saturday so will likewise be eager to record their first win, in their second consecutive away match to start their campaign.

They have made just one change to their starting XV for tonight’s clash, with Toby Oliver switching places off the bench at first five with Victor Visa. On the bench, Sonny Oloapu fills the flanker’s impact role in place of Boxier Fauena.

Wainuiomata’s team sees three confirmed changes to their forwards but an unchanged backline from round one. Tom Chase-Pona comes starts at loosehead prop for Kade Tiatia, Ma’a Tauaneai lines up at blindside flanker alongside captain Greg Lealofi, and Kitiona Leitufia starts at No. 8 for Teru Time.

The Axemen have made four personnel changes from their opening day loss to their starting XV, two in the forwards and two in the backs.

Timothy Labert replaces Sam Eklund at lock and Peti Paulo comes on to the side of the scrum for Labert, while Lati Lati and Willie Afamasaga start in the outside backs for Philip Elo and Ben Stowe respectively.

Wainuiomata held their nerve to beat Hutt Valley neighbours Hutt Old Boys Marist 16-15 last Saturday at William Jones Park. They will be hoping to make it two from two against the Axemen who lost 72-15 to Oriental-Rongotai down in Miramar.

These two teams contest the Bill Jones Cup, after one of the great supporters from Wainuiomata’s early days and whom Wainuiomata’s home ground is named after. When the the two teams met in the Swindale Shield in 2014 it was their first Premier meeting since 1987, and since then, tonight’s visitors Wainuiomata have won seven of those nine Swindale games. Wainuiomata are the holders, having won the last four Bill Jones Cup matches.

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There is also a curtain-raiser this evening at Hataitai Park, with the Wellington and Marist St Pat’s Colts teams playing at 6.00pm in their second round Colts grading round fixture.

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Round two of Manawatu Senior 1 club rugby is being played tonight and tomorrow afternoon.

Two of the three matches are being played tonight, with Varsity hosting Feilding Yellows at Massey at 7.00pm and College Old Boys and Freyberg meeting at the Arena at 7.00pm.

In tomorrow’s match, Te Kawau hosts Old Boys Marist at Rongotea at 2.45pm.

Kia Toa has the bye.

Other grades start up next Saturday.

Horowhenua-Kapiti has the weekend off with no rugby.

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In a First XV result from Wednesday, Feilding High School continued their giant-killing start to the new season, beating St Pat’s Silverstrream 27-19 at home.