
Petone were too good for home side Wainuiomata on Old Timers’ Day at William Jones Park this afternoon. Photo: Andy McArthur.
- By Steven White, Adam Julian and Scott MacLean
For results and scoring (as received) please visit: http://www.clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/games-results.php?competition=1&season=21&round=5
There are now no unbeaten teams left standing in the Premier Swindale Shield after Hutt Old Boys Marist beat Marist St Pat’s 45-22 on their Old Timers’ Day on a blue sky afternoon at the Hutt Rec today.
The Eagles are the joint leaders with Old Boys University on 21 competition points after 5 rounds, after OBU beat Tawa 43-29 at Lyndhurst Park.
Petone and Oriental-Rongotai are joint third on 20 points, after Petone beat Wainuiomata 60-36 on Old Timers’ Day at William Jones Park and Ories defeated Johnsonville 47-22 for the Ash Pointon Cup at Helston Park.
MSP are next on the standings on 19 points, ahead of Poneke on 17 who scored five tries in beating Avalon 27-0 on Old Timers’ Day at Fraser Park.
Paremata-Plimmerton and the Upper Hutt Rams are a point back in 16, after both earning high scoring wins today. Paremata-Plimmerton won two interclub trophies against Northern United in a 51-22 win at Ngati Toa Domain and the Rams bounced back from a recent close loss and a draw to stretch the Wellington Axemen to 61-23 in town at Hataitai Park.
Some accounts of selected Swindale Shield matches we were at are below:
An early blitz (aided by some luck) and a second half Fritz Rayasi special and an increasingly dominant scrum paved the way for HOBM’s 45-22 Father Cleary Shield win over MSP on their Old Timers’ Day in perfect conditions at the Hutt Rec.
MSP supporters were probably re-living nightmares about this corresponding match last year when HOBM unleashed a torrent of early tries to win that one easily, when HOBM scored two early tries in this one to lead 12-0 well inside 10 minutes.
A MSP error from the opening kick-off led to MSP’s backs running in a 50-metre try from the scrum on halfway to go 7-0 up.
A penalty to Brandyn Laursen hit the uprights and bounced back into the field of play and HOBM scrambled on to attack and scored a second try in a piece of good fortune. Both these opening tries were scored by second five Kienan Higgins.
MSP calmed things down somewhat with a spell on attack and a penalty to first five Rique Miln, but in the 19th minute, HOBM ran back a kick in general play and Laursen scored their try to see them up 19-3.
A shellshocked MSP rallied and got themselves back into the game, eventually leading to a try after a concerted period on attack to lock Villame Raresa. The handy conversion was missed but the gap was closed to 19-8.

Right on halftime, Laursen missed a relatively easy penalty by his standards and that remained the halftime score.
Turning into a breeze and into the lowering sun, HOBM’s forwards would ultimately turn it up in the second 40 minutes. But not before MSP struck first through halfback Sam Connor, who couldn’t believe his luck by running back a dainty kick and chase kick and scoring under the posts to close to 19-15.
That was as close as MSP got, HOBM replying with their bonus point try, third phase off an attacking scrum that saw left wing Fritz Rayasi make a languid burst at the line off his line to be brought down short initially before recycling paved the way for the try.
In the 60th minute HOBM spread it wide to Rayasi and he made a powerful bust up the grandstand touchline to score the match winner in the corner. This made it 31-15.

MSP hit back once more, a long-concerted sequence leading to an un-identified outside back scoring in the far corner. The sideline conversion closed the gap to 31-22.
But the Eagles had the final say, with replacement Nathan Tunuvasa crossing in the opposite corner, and then putting the icing on the cake with a breakout try after defending their line at the other end.
For HOBM, our Player of the Match was loosehead prop Bennet Kumeroa, who had a whale of a game and was part of a strong scrum. We liked the play of veteran lock David Filipo for similar reasons, and of Jordan Gillies with his toddler son eager to join him on the field at times but restrained by family.
For MSP, halfback Connor was a livewire and No. 8 and Wellington Lion Keelan Whitman kept trying to inspire his side. The introduction of Aidan Morgan in the second half helped but he was behind a beaten forward pack.
At William Jones Park, fast-talking, local legend Jason Love celebrated his 200th match for Wainuiomata against Petone. He’s only the third player since the club was founded in 1946 to accomplish that feat.
The Green and Blacks didn’t win, but the game was fittingly flamboyant with over a dozen tries, multiple lead changes, and spirit that was willing and cheerful on an Old Timers Day’ that you couldn’t help but Love.
Wainuiomata took an unforeseen lead in the second half when rampaging prop Jordon Suli barged over for his second try. A conversion by Andrew Wells made it 36-29.
With about 20 minutes remaining Wainuiomata won a penalty 30m out from goal. Wells, flawless from the tee, pushed the ball narrowly wide of the target.
Wainuiomata frequently missed touch with clearances, and that was toxic with professionals Harry Godfery, TJ Clarke, and Losi Filipo poised to pounce.
However, it was Petone left winger Belgium Tuatagaloa who showed everybody up. A searing, angled break at halfway released Filipo at the 22, and the two Samoan internationals helped Petone restore parity.
Clark’s sideline conversion, from shadow to sun, was a momentum swinger. With a stronger bench and the benefit of a handful of blokes who spend five days in the gym, Petone came home with a wet sail. Godfrey grew in stature. Clark scored and made a bust that set up Cam Ferreira. Reserve winger Emery McGill also scored in a suburb shift from a bench that was headline by bulldozer prop Kafaongo Katoa.
Almost inexplicably Wainuiomata was down 24-10 after 30 minutes, despite long and productive periods with possession. Basic errors were punished with Tuatagaloa scoring two tires, his second a 35-meter burst holding the ball in one hand like LeBron James was spectacular Fellow winger Max Hosking scored two tries and was lively.
Wainuiomata didn’t panic in the first spell with Tyler Tane and Peter Umaga-Jensen combining effectively. Lock Kitiona Leitufia was a powerhouse and Teru Time and Greg Lealofi were typically industrious. Two tries to winger Niko Patelesio were rich rewards for his power, pace and poise. Wainuiomata took the game from 24-10 to 24-24 before leading 36-29 and fading.
Petone retained the Darren Larsen Cup, contested since 2006, and played in honour of the former Petone and Wainuiomata coach and Hurricanes stalwart staffer.
Two separate 10-minute periods were ultimately the difference in a tough but scratchy affair at Fraser Park for Avalon’s Old Timers’ Day as visitors Poneke came away with a 27-0 win. When given the man advantage Avalon were unable to capitalise on Poneke’s Mitchell Gough being sent for a 10-minute break before halftime, but Poneke was able to do so to the tune of two tries while Wolves skipper Jordan Aquila was in the cooler.
Poneke dominated the opening 15 minutes and when winger Isaac Moe-Jenkins and flanker Pasia Asiata had both crossed things looked bleak for the hosts. But to their credit they dominated the next 35 minutes, and really should have scored before and after Gough went to the bin, but simply couldn’t finish. Twice they lost the ball near to the line and had they turned with the lead things might have been different.
Aquila’s yellow card for a cynical infringement proved the match’s turning point with referee Ben van Berkel correctly deciding a deliberate knock-on from an offside position after a Poneke line break was worthy of sanction. From the ensuring scrum centre Wilf Batham-Read went over before Asiata finished off a sweeping move down the left for his second. Avalon went close after this but again couldnt finish, before Poneke finished matters with a driving maul.
Despite the result there was plenty to like about the home teams resolve, but fixing a badly misfiring lineout will be at the top of coach Thomas Kiwara’s list this week. Poneke will be happy to have avoided a potential banana skin, but won’t be pleased that they let Avalon dictate terms to the extent they did.
Premier 2
OBU leads the way in the Premier 2 Harper Lock Shield after they inflicted a rare home defeat on Tawa by 28-14.
HOBM are second after they annihilated MSP, nearly raising the bat a second time in a 98-7 win. Poneke are third but had to work to overcome Avalon 22-18, and Petone are fourth after beating Wainuiomata 50-24. Elsewhere Pare-Plim beat Norths 51-20, Johnsonville accounted for Ories 20-12, and in something of an upset Wellington beat Upper Hutt 38-24.
Poneke and Avalon can’t be further apart on the table, but the Wolves took it to one of the grade heavyweights at Fraser Park earlier today. The game had barely started when a change of fields was required after Poneke prop Esene Marsters-Moananu suffered what seemed to be a serious leg injury.
Avalon made much of the early running and held a 13-5 lead in the shadow of halftime before 200+ Premier gamer Ben Huntley produced some magic to set up two tries before running the sort of line he’s done hundreds of times to score himself soon after the restart.
From there the match turned into a real arm-wrestle as neither could get dominance, but Avalon eventually narrowed things up with around seven minutes to play, but Poneke then efficiently closed the game out to take a bonus-point win.
Women’s
Petone resumed top spot on the Women’s Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy standings after they took the top of the table clash at William Jones over Wainuiomata 29-5.
Back in the Hutt and at the other end of the tablem the combined Poneke-OBU side will be rueing a missed opportunity after leading Avalon 19-5 at the break before being run down with the hosts winning 26-24.
The eye-catching result however was at Ngati Toa Domain where Paremata-Plimmerton took their first ever win over Ories by 38-26. They took the lead early with a try to first five Te Arani Te Puni, converted by Tawny Burgess in her 50th game. Ories hit back but it was later 19-19 before the home side managed to pull away secure the win heading into their bye next weekend.

Petone stayed unbeaten in the women’s competition beating Wainuiomata 29-5. Two tries each to Harmony Ioane and goal-kicking, lineout throwing, No.8 Sieni Uluulu was the difference in a contest that was fierce but messy at the breakdown.
Wainuiomata will become an even bigger handful as the season progresses. Standouts for the hosts included openside Ruby Clark, hooker Zoe Clark, and blindside Cannon Hakaraia. Wainuiomata scrummaged strongly.
For Petone prop, Lavinia Lea was damaging with the ball in hand. Te Ararpa Sopoapa was tenacious on the blindside and centre Drenna Falaniko was dangerous.

Colts
HOBM and Petone maintained their perfect records in the Paris Memorial Colts after wins today.
The Eagles beat MSP 41-26 while Petone got past Wainuiomata 24-10.
The Upper Hutt Rams are third after rolling over Wellington 54-5 while Poneke joined MSP in fourth with a last-gasp win over Avalon 39-36. Elsewhere Norths edged out Pare-Plim 26-19, Ories eased past Johnsonville 74-12, and OBU accounted for Tawa 36-17.
The HOBM Green Colts beat their MSP counterparts 41-26 in the Hutt Rec curtain-raiser, but the final score was at least somewhat flattering to the home team.
MSP were super competitive, particularly in the lineouts where they won plenty of opposition ball as well as their own, but fell away later in the second half as HOBM’s relentless positivity and fresh legs off the bench were telling factors.
HOBM led just 13-12 at halftime, and 20-19 after about 50 minutes, before pulling clear with their bonus try on 55 miinutes and their fifth on 60 minutes to lead 34-19. The run of play remained close, before the Junior Eagles scored again with a few minutes to play and then MSP scored a deserved consolation bonus point try at the end.
U85kg
The U85kg JC Bowl resumed today after a week off last Saturday.
The feature clash was at Tawa between the home side the Ducks and visitors the OBU Scallywags. The game at Redwood Park lived up to its billing, with Tawa winning 31-26, fittingly on the opening day of duck shooting season. They also claimed the inaugural Thomas Murray Memorial Taonga. Tawa are on a perfect 20 competition points after four rounds, ahead of OBU who are second on 16.
HOBM are third on 13 points, after a comparatively easy 66-12 victory over MSP, with Avalon 12 after finishing ahead of Poneke 35-26. In other U85kg matches this afternoon, the Johnsonville Terrahawks edged the Paremata-Plimmerton Piranhas 22-17 and the Wellington LightAxemen beat Eastboune 29-12. Petone had the bye.
Elsewhere
College Old Boys and Kia Toa remain neck-and-neck at the head of the Manawatu Senior A ladder. COB crushed bottom side Feilding Old Boys-Oroua 93-5, while Kia Toa accounted for Old Boys Marist 58-17. Massey are up to third after beating Freyberg 29-3 but are yet to have the bye, as are Feilding Yellows who have moved up to fourth after they beat Linton Army by the nice score of 69-7. Te Kawau had the bye.
Rahui will be the leaders at the midpoint of the Horowhenua-Kapiti competition after the current powerhouse of the region beat Levin College Old Boys 44-29 in the feature game of the round. Shannon sit second after they beat Waikanae 33-14, while Paraparaumu got off the mark with a surprising 42-26 win away over Foxton. Wanderers had the bye and fall to the bottom of the table.
The last unbeaten has fallen in the Wairarapa-Bush Premier competition after Martinborough were crushed 45-12 by Marist at home. The wine villagers still lead, but only by a point from Carterton who thumped Pioneer 60-24. Greytown were too good for East Coast romping home 48-6, while Eketahuna kept Red Star winless with a narrow 29-24 win.
College
It was the first round of the Tranzit First XV Festival this afternoon in Palmerston North, involving three Wellington Schools.
These results saw Hastings Boys’ High School defeat Wellington College 27-0, HIBS play Gisborne Boys’ High School and St Pat’s Silverstream beat Napier Boys’ High School 25-14.
In the big match of the day involving local First XVs, Palmerston North Boys’ High School beat Feilding High School 36-22.
In the first round of Wellington Premiership grading games today, St Pat’s Town beat Hutt Valley High School 38-5, Rongotai College beat Mana College 63-7 and Tawa College beat St Bernard’s College 28-19.
Wai Coll and Paraparamu College met in another game and Paraparaumu College won 26-19 in a what is an upset based on last year’s rankings.
The winners of these first round grading games will likely qualify for the Premiership if they win again next weekend.
The Hurricanes beat the Waratahs 41-12 on Friday night, after leading 26-0 at halftime. A few images below by Mike Lewis Pictures: