Scoring runs hot in sixth round Swindale Shield matches

Competition frontrunners Ories on the attack at home this afternoon against Marist St Pat’s. Photo: Andy McArthur. 

• By Steven White & Scott MacLean

There was some hot scoring and more surprise results in Wellington club rugby in mild, sunny conditions on Saturday, with Petone, Hutt Old Boys Marist and Johnsonville all pushing past 50 points in their wins and Oriental-Rongotai and Paremata-Plimmerton both winning well as Ories maintained their unbeaten record and Pare-Plim moved up to third in the standings.

In the battle of the wooden spooners from recent seasons, the Wellington Axemen got up to beat the Avalon Wolves on their Old Timers’ Day at Fraser Park.

Swindale Shield Round 6 results at a glance:

• Hutt Old Boys Marist 67 – Northern United 14
• Paremata-Plimmerton 46 – Poneke 22
• Wellington Axemen 31 – Avalon Wolves 29
• Petone 76 – Wainuiomata 10
• Tawa 45 – Upper Hutt Rams 29
• Johnsonville 51 – Old Boys University 26
• Oriental-Rongotai 37 – Marist St Pat’s 11

Swindale Shield Points after 6 rounds (unofficial): Ories 30; Petone 26; Paremata-Plimmerton 23; Hutt Old Boys Marist, Poneke, Upper Hutt Rams, Tawa 21; Johnsonville 19; Wainuiomata 15; Marist St Pat’s, Northern United 11; Old Boys University, Wellington 7; Avalon 2.

At the Petone Rec, it was one-way traffic for the home team Petone on their Old Timers’ Day and 140^th weekend celebrations with a 76-10 victory over Wainuiomata. Petone also won the Darren Larsen Cup and retained the Bill Brien Challenge Trophy.

All predictions of a close game and a narrow Wainuiomata win by this publication were well and truly out the window by half time as Petone led 38-3. No 8 Connor Tuifao scored two first half tries and assisted in a third and midfielder Tom Carter scored one in his 50th game as Petone had their bonus point in the bag after 25 minutes.

Centre Jordan Glen-Bradbrook scored the first try after Wainuiomata dropped the ball before Tuifao scored the first of his tries and later crossed after a run that set it up by flanker Jarrod Hrstich.

Any hopes of a Wainuiomata comeback of sorts were quickly dashed when Petone winger Max Hosking scored early in the second half. This was followed by tries to the other wing Lachlan Forbes, and an outstanding individual try scored by Hurricane TJ Clarke off the bench which saw them sail past 50 points, leaving Wainuiomata scrambling to stem the big loss.

Paremata-Plimmerton rode a monstrous second half and a five-try haul by Louis Northcott to send the crowd home happy on Old Timers’ Day, holding Poneke scoreless after the break in winning 51-22.

The hosts opened the scoring after two minutes through a Dale Sabbagh penalty before he missed with a subsequent effort. Northcott’s first came shortly thereafter, before Poneke replied through Adam McRandle in bizarre fashion. Pare-Plim won a defensive lineout against the throw, but the ball bobbled to the lanky lock who simply only had to fall over the line.

Esi Komaisavai had his seemingly obligatory try soon after, pressing home the advantage from a quick tap before Northcott romped away for his second. Poneke were exposed at an attacking ruck and the hosts drove over and the ball quickly flicked to the flyer who only had to beat a desperate effort from Maea Temu-Schmidt to score.

Poneke needed a way back and got it when home prop Werdna Maligi-Leota saw yellow and reeled off three tries in the closing 10 minutes take a 22-20 lead at the break and with a dying northerly at their backs.

Stung into action the hosts came out firing. Firstly drawing a penalty try from a 5m scrum, then from All Black prop Pasilio Tosi who, after being well-shackled in the first half was finally able to bust through. The rest of the game was all Northcott, who completed his haul by simply winning foot races on the outside. Truth be told though it was an at times frustrating game to watch with both sides guilty of some rather poor discipline; something they’ll need to sort out if they fancy being contenders in two month’s time.

At Helston Park, Johnsonville were emphatic 51-26 winners over struggling Old Boys University. Johnsonville won the Bill Cavubati Cup with eight tries to four victory at their sun-drenched home ground.

Johnsonville scored some outstanding tries, both of their own doing from set-piece play and from broken play capitalising on OBU turnovers.

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Second five Olly Paotonu was the game’s outstanding figure on attack, scoring two tries and setting up two more, with his hard running and dangerous off-loading game. Paotonu scored the game’s first try, and Johnsonville’s penultimate try that sealed the deal with about 15 minutes to play.

Fullback Nial Delahunt scored a popular long-range runaway try to raise the half century of points in front of the Zulu army on the bank.

OBU fought hard to the end and their second five Jackson Wright scored a bonus point try at the end after a kick ahead by halfback-turned first five Jake Lawson. But there was little to cheer about for departing OBU supporters whose team are now 0/6 and their hopes of defending their titles are shattered.

Despite some good performances by individuals such as Lawson and hooker and captain for the day Geordie Bean, and a highly disruptive lineout, there was little more positive for them to take out of the game.

After Paotonu’s opening try, following a penalty and lineout in the corner, Paotonu delivered a lovely offload in the same corner to right wing Finlay Sharp who scored to make it 12-0.

OBU lost a player to a yellow card and Hawks first five Ken Kurihara kicked a penalty to put his team up 15-0 after 18 minutes.

OBU rallied and they scored the game’s next two tries, both after penalties and lineouts in the far corner, and it was then 15-12.

Another key moment of the match followed when Johnsonville lock Anthony Pettett scooped up a loose ball in the tackle and galloped over 30 metres to score in the corner to make it 20-12.

Johnsonville then scored their bonus point try just before half time with flanker Louis Magalogo crossing after a long build-up. Kurihara’s conversion took the score to 27-12 at half time as Johnsonville turned to play into the lowering sun.

The home team then started the second half in style with a sizzling try which involved Paotonu handling the ball twice in the movement and offloading to try-scorer Kurihara to touch down in the righthand corner.

Johnsonville then went up 39-12 with another breakout up into the 22, and a try to replacement flanker Asafo Faamafu.

OBU rallied again, and after a concerted period in front of the line, Lawson burrowed through to make it 39-19. During this time a Johnsonville player was sinbinned.

But the 14-man Johnsonville soon hit back, after a penalty and a lineout in the 22 in front of the clubrooms led directly to that man Paotonu crashing through the line to score under the posts.

At the Hutt Rec, Horowhenua-Kapiti wing Kapu Broughton-Winterburn scored a hat-trick and second five Kienan Higgins two tries as the HOBM Eagles went out to a commanding 47-5 lead later in the second half over Northern United. The Eagles kept their foot on the pedal and extended this for the second biggest win of the afternoon.

At Fraser Park, the Wellington Axemen scored early against Avalon and held on to win 31-29.

In a lively, but often messy encounter, the Axemen scored their game’s first try early, but Avalon came back and kept in the hunt. The Axemen had the game won at 31-22 ahead before a try after fulltime by the Wolves closed it to one point.

At Maidstone Park, Tawa won a 10-peat of wins over the Upper Hutt Rams, prevailing 45-29 and taking home the Mexted Motors Cup.

Last but not least, leaders Ories earned a bonus point win over MSP to maintain their front-running position.

Ories led 20-6 at halftime, and then extended their lead to 25-6 after going side to side from an attacking lineout. More continuity and interchange passing saw wing Herman Suemanufagai crossing to make it 30-6. MSP struck back with their only try of the match after some vigorous play and a tap penalty but Ories finished the match off with another try to Herman Seumanufagai.

Premier 2

The Old Boys University Second XV are unbeaten on a maximum 30 competition points after their 51-17 win over Johnsonville this afternoon in the sixth round of the Harper Lock Shield. More on this game below.

OBU head a tightly packed chasing pack with Poneke, Hutt Old Boys Marist, Marist St Pat’s and Petone just behind.

Poneke beat Paremata-Plimmerton 52-31, HOBM defeated Norths 66-10, MSP edged Ories 36-34 and Petone defeated Wainuiomata 49-10 in their fixtures today.

In the day’s other matches, Avalon beat Wellington 50-0 and the Upper Hutt Rams beat Tawa 42-23.

The Premier 2 curtain raiser at Helson Park went almost the opposite way to the match that followed, with visitors Old Boys University winning 51-17. OBU won eight tries to three after doing most of the damage in the first half when they scored five tries and led 34-7 at half time.

Playing with the wind and the sun at their backs, OBU scored three long-range tries in the first half and threatened to continue in the second. But the remainder of the game was much closer although OBU scored another try and extended their lead to 41-7 early on.

Johnsonville finished stronger and scored two late popular tries, but they couldn’t conclude with a bonus point.

Women’s

Norths, Petone, and Ories will fight it out next week to claim the Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy after all three won today in the Women’s grade.

Norths ended the hopes of MSP, winning 38-10 at Evans Bay and taking the Gary Hilsdon Challenge Cup with them. They take on Wainuiomata next five where a win and a bonus point will get them a share at least.

Ories and Petone meet next week at the Polo Ground. Petone thumped Wainuiomata 76-5 including yet another hat-trick for Harmony Kautai, while Ories accounted for Avalon 53-17.

In the one match with no impact on the destination of the trophy Pare-Plim got their first win beating Poneke 34-20. Playing her blazer game Alumeci Nawaqatabu scored four tries for the home team while it was an unfortunate short outing in her 150th for Poneke’s Megan Tulili, forces off early with a knee issue.

Colts

Round four of the Colts Paris Memorial Trophy today, with HOBM Green beating OBU Green 52-34 in the Hutt Rec curtain-raiser to go to a maximum 20 points on the log.

Tawa beat Paremata-Plimmerton 51-33 to slip into second, while other results today saw Petone beating Poneke 39-22, Ories defeating Norths 46-29 and the Upper Hutt Rams meeting Johnsonville. MSP with the bye.

U85kg

Leaders the Tawa Ducks had the bye in today’s round of the U85kg JC Bowl, while Johnsonville overcame the OBU Scallywags 15-6 to stay close.

Eastbourne beat HOBM 25-10 in their Hutt Valley derby at the Hutt Rec, Paremata-Plimmerton beat MSP 17-5 and Avalon beat Wellington 19-13 (score to be confirmed).

Elsewhere

The Championship Moose Kapene Cup started in Wairarapa-Bush this afternoon – with teams bringing through points earned during the first round Lane Penn Cup.

Defending Champions Carterton beat Marist 36-7 at home,  while Lane Penn winners Martinborough beat Pioneer 47-15 away. Across the river Masterton Red Star beat East Coast 34-15, while Greytown trounced Eketahuna 71-14 at home.

In the Manawatu, Kia Toa raised the century, beating FOBO 104-0. Old Boys Marist beat Feilding Yellows 22-17, College Old Boys led Linton Army 12-7 at halftime with fulltime score to be confirmed and Varsity beat Te Kawau 50-19 in the fourth .

In the Horowhenua-Kapiti Ramsbotham Cup, Foxton defeated Paraparaumu 28-27 in the game of the round, while Waikanae had a 24-18 win over Levin COB at the Domain. The third match saw Rahui beat Levin Wanderers 40-22

College

Hutt International Boys’ School and newcomers Rathkeale College booked their places in this year’s Premiership with wins today.

HIBS saw off Hutt Valley High School 23-7, while Rathkeale overpowered Premiership regulars St Bernard’s 51-14.

Those two losing sides get another chance next week. In the remaining fixtures at the top end, Rongotai beat Newlands/Onslow 62-9, Wairarapa College beat Bishop Viard 69-7, Porirua trounced Taita 82-0, Paraparaumu likewise 97-0 over Upper Hutt/Heretaunga, and Mana edged out Aotea 19-15. Tawa beat Kapiti by default.

Wins for Wellington College and St Pat’s Silverstream over Hawke’s Bay opposition today.

Wellington College defeated Hastings Boys’ High School 18-17 at home and St Pat’s Silverstream beat Napier Boys’ High School 33-7.