OBU and Tawa to meet in Jubilee Cup final as Tawa celebrate U85kgs win and two other teams in finals

Fulltime at Lyndhurst Park after Tawa have just held off waves of Ories attack under their own posts.Tawa won 26-24 and will meet OBU in next Saturday’s Jubilee Cup final. Photo: Andy McArthur.

• By Steven White, Scott MacLean, Adam Julian & Martyn Bridge

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Old Boys University and Tawa will meet in next weekend’s 2024 Jubilee Cup final at Porirua Park after both winning highly contested semi-finals this afternoon.

OBU beat Hutt Old Boys Marist 33-22 in one semi-final, while Tawa defeated Oriental Rongotai 26-24 in the other.

It was a successful day for the Tawa club whose U85kg team won their Division 1 championship final, and all three of their semi-finalists today won their matches.

Tawa’s Premier 2 and Colts sides will join their Premiers on Finals Day next weekend, after their second XV beat Petone 33-21, and their Colts beat OBU’s Colts 10-8.

In today’s Hardham Cup semi-finals, Paremata-Plimmerton beat Johnsonville 20-14, and Wainuiomata defeated Marist St Pat’s 27-14 to set up next week’s final between Paremata-Plimmerton and Wainuiomata.

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The prodigious boot of Callum Harkin was the telling difference for Old Boys University in their 33-22 semi-final victory over Hutt Old Boys Marist.

From eight attempts, the newly contracted Wellington Lions first five, kicked four penalties and three conversions as the Billygoats outlasted the Eagles in a contest that featured five lead changes.

Harkin opened the scoring with a 40m penalty but for most of the first half, the hosts dictated terms with their monster pack.

Hutt’s first try was scored by fullback Fritz Rayasi from close range but much of the lead-up work was done by Taine Tata (blindside), Ben Tuiomanufili (No.8) and Teofilo Paulo (lock).

All three were bustling, but once again Harry Press was a headliner. The hooker scored two tries to take his season tally to 11. His first was from a lineout pushover and then early in the second half, he stunned the students when he detached from a maul and raced 20m.

For the most part, OBU’s defence was resolute and their attack was patient and clinical. Down 14-6, blindside Harry Irving pushed through two tacklers for a try which saw the Billygoats turn 14-13 down at halftime. Has there been a better rookie than Irving in 2024?

Following the Press missile, OBU regrouped to take the lead through a Ty Poe try. The underrated utility back sought work and proved elusive.

Hutt summoned the experience of Brandyn Laursen from the bench, and he kicked a penalty to propel Hutt ahead 22-20.

The scrums turned drastically in favour of the students after makeshift prop Jason Hoffman had to joust with Laurence Jarel Lim. Cody Quinn proved a more than serviceable replacement for lock Boston Hunt.

Harkin was tactically astute, and two penalties made it 26-22. With three minutes remaining second five Malo Manuao secured the students’ place in the final when he chipped ahead for whippet Tom Henderson to pursue and touchdown.

In the past 11 seasons, Old Boys University and Tawa have won all seven Jubilee Cup finals they’ve contested.

Tawa held on to beat Oriental-Rongotai 26-24 in a blockbuster Jubilee Cup semi-final at home at a sodden Lyndhurst Park this afternoon.

The match finished with both sides out on their feet underneath Tawa’s own goal line after Ories had launched into a 90 second assault started inside their own half in trying to score the winning points. But they knocked on almost on the tryline, and referee Hamish Mexted blew the fulltime whistle to the delight of Tawa and their supporters.

Only moments earlier, Tawa themselves had been camped on attack at the other end looking to close out the match, but Ories broke out and dared to dream.

A few minutes prior to that, Ories had scored the last points of the match through super-sub prop Jonty Bird who snatched a messy lineout in the corner and crashed his way through both sets of forwards to score, putting Ories two points behind.

Centre Alex Ropeti lined up the conversion, but it shaved the outside of the right upright, and there would be no extra time like last week.

Tawa had led an intense first 40 minutes 14-7 at halftime. The start of the second half continued in the same vein for the best part of 20 minutes, with both sets of forwards smashing each other and both teams’ backs trying hard to create opportunities in the wet conditions. Tawa openside Hemi Fermanis’ try after a relentless assault was the only scoring, as the home side extended their lead to 21-7.

The semi-final came alive in the next period of play as Ories, seemingly out of nowhere, ran in sizzling back-to-back tries. The first of these saw fleet-footed fullback Chicago Doyle creating an opening on the left wing for Pose Tuilaepa and the strapping wing scorched in to score in the corner.

Ories pushed back hot on attack and this time centre Ropeti put through a stab kick for fullback Doyle to regather and run through to score. The conversion was missed, and Tawa now hung on at 21-19 ahead.

The home side bounced straight back on to attack, and within a couple of minutes scored a try of their own after several phases in centre field in front of the posts. They ripped it wide and the final pass was tipped on and the try was scored in the corner, which extended their lead to 26-19.

Tawa had earlier made a fast start to the semi-final when, after over a minute of bruising attack, hooker Joyner Gaualofa poured over the line. First five Luke Warmsley kicked the conversion to put Tawa up 7-0.

After Warmsley had missed a handy penalty, Tawa were presented with another penalty from a similar position, but this time they chose to kick to the corner and go for the lineout. This proved to be the right choice as the forwards scored the driving try and Warmsley converted to put them up 14-0 after 24 minutes.

Ories rallied and they dominated most of the rest of the first half territorially. They were held up over the line on no fewer than three occasions, the first by left wing Tuilaepa in his corner, and the other two by the forwards closer in.

This pressure was finally rewarded when No 8 Sione Halalilo made a powerful blindside run off the back of a scrum and crossed the whitewash. Centre Ropeti added the conversion.

Tawa closed out the first half hot on attack and perhaps should have scored their third try right on 40 minutes but knocked on over the line.

With earlier rain and drizzle fully cleared, the two teams proceeded to battle it out in an epic second half, but as is the case, only one team could win and advance to next week’s final and that was home team Tawa.

At Evans Bay Park visitors Wainuiomata won the game by halftime against Marist St Pat’s in their Hardham Cup semi-final.

Wainuiomata were up 12-0 inside as many minutes of play, with early tries to openside flanker Greg Lealofi and left wing Renata Kotuhi.

First five Andrew Wells kicked a penalty to extend the lead to 15-0 after 18 minutes, before he scored and converted his own try to put the green and blacks up 22-0 after 25 minutes.

MSP replied with a try of their own, but then lost prop Vince Sakaria to the sin-bin just before halftime. When fullback Mikade Fono scored again for Wainuiomata early in the second half to put them back ahead by more than three converted tries it was too much for the home side to come back from.

Centre Francis Mettrick completed the scoring his side’s second try about 10 minutes from fulltime.

At Ngati Toa Domain, Johnsonville opened the scoring with a 5th minute Mark Sutton Penalty, before Paremata-Plimmerton turned their own mistake into profit.

Their re-start didn’t go 10 metres, so Johnsonville packed down a scrum on halfway. The ball spilt loose and home team first five Sam Clarke kicked it through, picked up and passed to centre Ethan Webster-Nonu to score put them up 7-3 inside 10 minutes.

The next 15 minutes was a scrappy affair in the wet, with Paremata-Plimmerton also losing Clarke to the sin-bin in this time. The pattern of play remained tense right up until halftime, when Sutton kicked his second penalty and the home side led 7-6 at the turnaround.

Sutton kicked his third penalty on 45 minutes to put the Hawks up 9-7, before Clarke tapped and took off from a free-kick 70 metres back and put left wing Louis Northcott away for their second try to make it 12-9.

Another Clarke penalty put the Hammerheads up 15-9 after about 60 minutes. The home side then struck with a decisive try, that man Clarke involved again. He kicked ahead for Northcott to regather, who passed inside to right wing Joe Faleafaga to score out wide and put them up 20-9 with about 15 minutes to play.

Johsonville needed to scored next, and they did so, through replacement Josh Betham in the corner to close the gap to 20-14.

That would be the final score, as Paremata-Plimmerton missed another penalty near the end.

Premier 2

Harper Lock Shield winners OBU and three-time defending champions Tawa will contest the Premier 2 Ed Chaney Cup final after near-matching scorelines in today’s semifinals.

OBU beat HOBM 33-17 in the Ian Galloway cage, while Tawa also put up 33 points in ending Petone’s season 33-21 (a bit on this match just below).

The margins were even closer in the HD Morgan Memorial section. Ories will get the chance to retain this trophy after they held off Johnsonville 18-13, and they’ll face the Upper Hutt Rams who did just enough to hold out MSP 13-12 at Maidstone Park.

In the early game at Lyndhurst Park, Tawa beat Petone to book their place in next Saturday’s Ed Chaney Cup final.

Petone came back with a converted try with about 10 minutes to play after they had scored their second consecutive try of the second half, and it was game on at that point.

After all, Petone had beaten the same Tawa team in the first weekend of the season which ended Tawa’s then 50 game winning streak.

Perhaps with that memory spurring them on, Tawa regrouped and after a gritty period in possession inside Petone’s territory, they crossed to score their semi-sealing try on fulltime.

Tawa had previously missed a golden opportunity to perhaps put the game to bed at the very start of the second half when, after leading 23-7 at halftime, they had a penalty and a lineout in the same corner and coughed up possession with the tryline under their noses.

Earlier, the match had started in steady drizzle on a heavy field. But that didn’t stop Tawa from making a cracking start. They crashed through the midfield after a lineout on the 22 to go 7-0 up which was followed by a penalty and then a second try after another concerted raid to make it 15-0 after about 25 minutes.

Tawa then piled more pressure on to Petone when they flashed in to score their third try with their halfback making a decisive dash and offloading through his right wing, he scored in front of the clubrooms.

Tawa extended their lead to 23-0 with their second penalty.

Petone lost a player to the sinbin at this point, but they dug deep and after a late assault just before halftime, they build up pressure and scored to make it 23-7 at the break.

Colts

It’s no real surprise that HOBM are in the Colts John E Kelly Cup championship final after they kept their unbeaten season intact by overrunning defending champions Ories 56-7 at the Hutt Rec.

What is the surprise is who’ll they’ll face, as seventh-seed Tawa have come through the pack after beating OBU 10-8 at a soggy MacAlister Park.

The second division Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup will be an all-Porirua affair. Norths beat Wellington 31-10 at Jerry Collins, while Pare-Plim came from behind late to tip out Pōneke  18-17 at Kilbirnie Park.  Home side Pōneke  had led 14-11 at halftime, but in the end it was a penalty try with about 10 minutes to go that was the difference.

U85kg

The trophy cabinet at Hataitai Park has been empty for what seems an entirety, but at last, the Wellington Axemen have won a title.

The U85 kg Wellington Sugarwoods pipped the Paremata-Plimmerton Piranhas 11-10 in the second division, Tony O’Brien Cup final.

In persistent rain, fat mud, and vile wind, it was always going to be a slog at the graveyard but who would have thought Wellington would withstand nearly 10 minutes of sustained pressure on their line without conceding a penalty.

Paremata-Plimmerton first-five Archie Wilison had a chance to push the Piranhas ahead with a penalty close to full time. His audacious shot drooped underneath the crossbar and was fumbled and carried back by a Wellington receiver.

Paremata-Plimmerton pounded away mercilessly, but the Sugarwoods stood firm and it is confirmed all 22 are gusty buggers.

Wellington led after two minutes when Ryan Tsourgas riffled through a 35m penalty. Wilson responded for the Piranhas only for Tsourgas to succeed again.

With the last thrust of the first half, Paremata-Plimmerton scored a try through prop Tamiti Poki.

Space was at a premium, ball security perilous, territory pernicious. Wellington took a lead they wouldn’t lose in the 65^th minute with a trick lineout the saw lock Cody Milne bound for glory.

In the Paul Potaki Divison I final, the Tawa Ducks demolished the OBU Scallywags 46-10. Tawa competed 2024 undefeated jumping to a 27-3 lead at halftime and only conceding late in proceedings.  Hooker Wiggy Bloomfield scored four tries profiting from the horsepower of his pack like a King riding a chariot. Captain Troy Howie was immense and bagged a double.

Scoring: Tawa 46: Wiggy Bloomfield 4 tries, T. Hawe 2 tries, Adam Preston 2 tries, Liam Rongonui 3 conversions. OBU 10: Keegan Wattrus penalty and a conversion. Scotty Alexander Try.

Reserve Grade

The Upper Hutt Rams J8s met the Johnsonville Cripples in the Reserve Grade Division 1 final today at Maidstone Park for the John Davies Cup. Result to be confirmed.

College

Wellington College maintained their faultless Premiership record, trouncing Wairarapa College 42-5 in a catch-up fixture.

An efficient forward display saw Oliver Church, Cyrus Aiono, Seb Hopkins and Lazarus Webster in lower numbers all cross the chalk. Winger Shea Bosher scored twice while Archie Sims slotted all six conversions.  Wellington has won all seven matches in 2024 and leads St Patrick’s College, Silverstream and Town by three points in the Premiership standings. The two Catholic schools collide on Wednesday at Evans Bay Park.

Elsewhere

A boilover to end the season in Horowhenua-Kapiti, as Foxton lifted the Rambotham Cup with an upset 30-27 win over Rehui, and denying the Otaki side an undefeated campaign. Rahui did claim the Reserves Bill Muir Cup, winning a slugfest 10-3 over Athletic.

 

Further around the country North Shore are the North Harbour champions, prevailing 20-15 over Takapuna while in Counties-Manukau Patumahoe tipped over favourites Karaka 17-8. Hamilton Marist won the Waikato Breweries Shield, completing an unbeaten season 22-8 over Hautapu, and in the south Green Island are the Otago Metro champs after beating Dunedin 21-15 under the Forsyth Barr roof.

Over the Remutaka’s it was finals day in Wairarapa-Bush, and the games each delivered.

Carterton made it three championships on the trot, winning a pulsating Moose Kapene Cup final 27-26 over Marist on the Memorial Park turf, holding out one desperate last green and white attack in the Marist clubrooms corner. Carterton started the stronger in the steady rain, knocking over an early penalty to open the scoring. Marist nearly responded through their Upper Hutt Rams connection as Soli Malatai was unable to claw in a Tafa Tafa grubber, but cashed in moments later when Carterton were unable to deal with the ball Malatai was first there.

Carterton’s reply started in bizarre fashion. Tafa knocked-on on halfway and in frustration booted the ball backwards and out inside his own 22m. Referee Ali Payne – refereeing his 10th Moose Kapene final – had no hesitation in awarding the lineout and after some stout defence Marist cracked and Wai-Bush sevens legend Inia Katia, on as an early replacement poked his way through. Carterton were dominating territory but one of Marist’s few foray’s paid off when they manipulated space for winger Hayden Cooper to cross on the stroke of halftime, and his conversion had Marist ahead 14-10.

Just as they started the first half Carterton were swiftly into their work in the second. Big Fijian lock Malakai Biumaiwai went close but knocked-on, but powerful tighthead Blair Heming won a penalty at the ensuing scrum and from that they pushed Marist back for No. 8 Zach Wakefield to score the easiest of tries. Marist’s response was immediate; from an attacking scrum halfback Ala Malatai sniped down the blindside and exchanged passes with Cooper before openside Rhys Severn took the last pass and crashed over.

Carterton seemed to put the game out of reach around the 60th minute with a quickfire double. Fiula Tameilau crossed in a mass of bodies, before flanker Matt Gain scored, and Daryl Pickering’s conversion put them out to 27-21. But Marist narrowed it up when No. 8 Joe Tako barged over to set up a grandstand finish. Tafa missed a long-range dropped goal attempt before Carterton held out one final assault. Prop Tupou Lea’aemanu and centre Aseri Waqa were big contributors for the victors, with brothers Willie and Charles Mataitai a solid wall for Marist in midfield.

In the subsidiary final East Coast won the Hodder-Steffert Cup 13-12 over Eketahuna.

The two Senior Reserve finals were heartbeat finishes. The championship Ryan Cup went the way of Gladstone 17-14 over Tuhirangi in a match that was 7-3 for a long period. Gladstone scored in the 65th minute before the Pirinoa farmers responded and set up one last attack from an attacking lineout but knocked-on. Greytown took the subsidiary Presidents Cup 18-12 over Carterton after leading 15-0 after a dozen minutes and 18-0 after 30. Carterton scored in the shadow of halftime but the second half was scoreless until Carterton scored with four minutes left, with the match ending when one last Carterton raid was bundled into touch 5m short of the line.