Petone, Paremata-Plimmerton win women’s finals, top 8 decided for Jubilee Cup

The Petone Ponies with the Division 1 Women’s Tia Paasi Memorial Trophy after their win over Northern United today at Rugby League Park. Photo: Andy McArthur. 

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

Congratulations to Petone (Division 1) and Paremata-Plimmerton (Division 2) for winning the 2025 Wellington Women’s titles. Petone beat Northern United 41-22 to retain the Tia Paasi Memorial Cup and Paremata-Plimmerton defeated Wainuiomata 17-13 to win the Izzy Ford Cup. More on these finals below.

The eight teams who will start the championship Jubilee Cup were confirmed at approximately 3.15pm this afternoon when Johnsonville’s Jacob Walmsley ran almost 50 metres to score his team’s bonus point try over Northern United.

This try and subsequent 32-24 win confirmed that last year’s winners Old Boys University will be playing for the Hardham Cup throughout July. For their part, OBU defeated the Wellington Axemen 43-19.

After being deducted nine competition points this week for fielding an unregistered player, the Axemen are in in danger of finishing the first round stuck on 0 points.

At the other end of the table, already confirmed first round winners Oriental-Rongotai went to a maximum 60 competition points with next week’s 13^th round against Avalon to play when left wing Herman Seumanufagai flew into the lefthand corner to score his second try of the second half and their fourth and bonus point try overall in the 79^th minute.

Pōneke had defended gallantly throughout the latter stages of the match and in large swathes of the first spell. Ories had scored the game’s first try through the competition’s top pintscorer Tom Maiava to lead 5-0, which remained the score until Pōneke first-five Carlos Hihi scuttled in to score in the righthand corner with the last play of the half to make it 5-5 at the break. Ories pulled ahead with two tries, to first five Declan Hay and the first to Seumanufagai to seal the famous Jimmy Grbich Memorial Trophy, but it looked like the visitors would be the first team all season to deny them a 4-try bonus point until the wing’s second just before fulltime.

Other results in today’s 12^th round played around the region in mostly dry but cool conditions on the shortest Saturday of the year, included the Upper Hutt Rams beating Hutt Old Boys Marist 20-5 on the Eagles’ Old Timers’ Day at the Hutt Rec.

The Rams won the interclub Gillies-Melville Cup, while they reclaimed the Bill Brien Challenge Cup.  They won the game two tries to one, with Scott Svenson kicking two conversions and two penalties.

It also included Paremata-Plimmerton beating Petone 27-25 at home at Ngati Toa Domain for the Ken Gray Cup. More on this game below.

Tawa defeated Wainuiomata 38-10 at home for the Chris Stirling Cup, pulling clear later in the second half after it was 10-10 at halftime. For Tawa, replacement outside back Jonty Baker and Cliff Hunt Junior each scored tries and left wing Hunter Sao crossed for two.

Marist St Pat’s had an impressive 77-24 win over the Avalon Wolves in a 13 tries to 4 win and with halfback Jayde Burns scoring a hat-trick.

The  Swindale Shield points table after 12 rounds of 13 is:

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At Ngati Toa Domain, Paremata-Plimmerton won a pulsating victory over Petone. Paremata-Plimmerton’s powerful scrum and an electric performance by halfback Esi Komaisavaiai were the catalysts for the Hammerheads’ victory.

It was Petone who scored the first try through hooker Ryan Imrie, but Komaisavai responded with a 40-metre dash after a break by Ethan Webster-Nonu.

Petone’s lineout was clinical and disruptive and Imrie scored his second try, which made it 10-7. There was a turning point right on halftime when Rory Woollett threw and intercept pass to left wing Louis Northcott who sprinted 90 metres to touch down under the posts and make it 14-10 to the home team at halftime.

Petone kicked a penalty at the start of the second half to close the gap to 14-13, before inspirational captain in the pink headgear, Connor Tuifao crossed on the wing. Tuifao, along with flanker Braith Ingram, was amongst Petone’s best on the day.

As the game progressed, Paremata-Plimmerton’s scrum grew more dominant and a try from Esi Komaisavai from a scrum, darting over 30 metres, put them up 19-18.

Northcott made a break and Alex Fidow scored to make it 24-19 to Paremata-Plimmerton.

Petone hardly touched the ball for 10 minutes, then with a spillage by Northcott had a try in the corner to wing Lachie Forbe after a cut-out pass by Woolett. This made it 25-24 to Petone with the sideline conversion by TJ Clarke.

Paremata-Plimmerton won a penalty with about three minutes left, which Dale Sabbagh chipped over, to make it 27-25, the fulltime score.

At Porirua Park, visitors Johnsonville retained the Barlow Trophy against Northern United by 32-24 in an entertaining but often chaotic fixture.

What a difference it is having high level players returning to your struggling side, with Jackson Garden-Bachop playing a full game at second five and returning former champion halfback Campbell Woodmass playing the entire second half – both influential for Norths with their vast experience and cool heads.

Both scored tries for Norths, Garden-Bachop scoring their first try and Woodmass running in to score their last try, whilst Garden-Bachop’s kicking game and calmness boosted Norths and but for a bit more firepower in the supporting cast they could have won the game.

Johnsonville scored several quality tries and were able to stave off a possible comeback at the end following Woodmass’s try which put Norths behind 27-24 with several minutes to play and Johnsonville with a second sinbinned player still cooling off.

Johnsonville kept their heads and scored their match-winning try with four minutes to play after a 70-second build-up when captain and second five Paotonu crossed the line to make it 32-24, the final score.

Previously, five Ish Perkins made a line break up the middle after a lineout near halfway, and found Paotonu in support who passed inside to replacement Brett Taefu who in turn found ranging lock Koloa Aisake who scored in front of the clubrooms.

Earlier, Johnsonville had outscored Norths four tries to one to lead 22-5 at halftime.

Left wing Jacob Kennedy opened the scoring with a typical burst up the sideline to the corner flag to make it 5-0. Norths quickly replied through Garden-Bachop who wrapped around captain and flanker Olano Afutoto.

Johnsonville retook the lead in the 17^th minute with a try to first five Perkins after another solid team build-up and time in possession.

Norths went close to scoring a second try, and following a 5- metre scrum Toby Kennett was then held up over the line.  This was possibly a try for No. 8 Luca Rees to have a crack at, who is was and still is sitting on 99 Premier tries.

Johnsonville then went back-to-back with two more tries in the 28^th and 30^th minutes, tighthead prop Mike Faimalo crossing after yet more Johnsonville phase play, followed by right wing Jacob Walmsley sprinting 50 metres from a break after the next kick-off to score their fourth and bonus point try, which also sent them through to the Jubilee Cup.

The second half would be a largely scrappy affair with lots of endeavour but few chances taken. Johnsonville lost first half try scorer Faimalo to the sinbin. Following that, Norths scored their second try by bulldozing left wing Liki Siliga, making it 22-10.

After a long period of play between the 22s, Norths finally rallied inside the 22 and in the 68^th minute, after over 90 seconds in possession in front of the line, and with Rees sniffing at one point for that 100^th try, Garden-Bachop fired the ball out wide to Afutoto who scored untouched to make it 22-17.

Women’s

Petone retained the Championship Tai Paasi Memorial Cup, outlasting Northern United 41-22 in a pulsating decider at Rugby League Park

It took just 65 seconds for the Villagers to open their account as a crosskick found the prolific Harmony Kautai. She was stopped on this occasion but popped the ball up to Jackie Patea-Fereti to cross. Six minutes later they were in again through right wing Tia Brown as Norths struggled with their discipline and getting their hands on the ball.

Norths were eventually able to do that, and set up camp in the Petone 22 before Kat Wira-Kohu crashed through to score before Petone crossed again through the irrepressible Lavinia Lea. All this in the first 15 minutes.

There was some reprieve for the scoreboard operators in the next 10 minutes before Norths scored their second in the northwest corner, and when No. 8 Leiseli Tuangalu ran on to a clinical short ball from Arene Landon-Lane the scores were level at 17-apiece. The rest of the half was largely played in Petone’s end, but despite Norths going close again there was no addition to the score.

Norths carried on from where they left off and quickly hit the front from close range as they made their size advantage up front pay and Landon-Lane started to play the field position game. But Petone broke the shackles in magical fashion. Winning a lineout in their own 22 the ball was spread right to fullback Keira Su’a-Smith who drew the last defender and winger Brown outpaced Brooke Jones to score.

That seemed to dent Norths’ resolve, as soon afterwards midfielder Nia Sutherland danced through a broken defence to score to push the lead to nine with 20 minutes left. But the Porirua side regrouped and twice forced tryline dropouts, once when the usually unstoppable Sanita Levave was held up.

Having dodged that bullet, Petone marched downfield and from an attacking scrum swung the ball wide for Su’a-Smith to score. Norths threw everything they had left in the remaining minutes, but it was somewhat fitting that Kautai – perhaps the dominant figure of the club season – had the final say with her 30th try of the campaign.

Su’a Smith won the Dawn Patelesio Medal for being named as the Player of the Final.

In the earlier Izzy Ford Cup final, Paremata-Plimmerton upset the form book and beat Wainuiomata 17-13 – with winger Tayla Siaea’s 75th minute try the difference. The first half was scoreless for 33 minutes despite Wainuiomata dominating territory, though Pare-Plim had the best of the early chances. Eventually that told, as Canon Hakaraia crashed over after some patient lead up work. That was the only scoring action of the first half, which also had a short delay after an injury to Pare-Plim midfielder Jasmine Fitness.

Pare-Plim made a strong start to the second half with some solid carries from No. 8 Mele Kupa-Cummings and prop Lavz Kuresa, and after getting a strong foothold near the Wainuiomata line fullback Hinemaia Taiaki burst through to open their account with just four minutes gone. Wainuiomata’s problems soon got worse; first prop Zoe Clark was yellow-carded, before opposing halfback Te Arani Te Puni found no one in front of her as she sniped off an attacking ruck to score under the posts.

Pare-Plim were next to incur the wrath of referee Greg Shaw as Lesina Obeda was sent for a 10-minute break, and just as Pare-Plim had with the advantage Wainuiomata drew profit when No8 Croshanlei Skipper-Lepou barged over from short range. From the restart Wainuiomata methodically worked their way downfield but lost the ball 5m out and Pare-Plim could breathe again, but were soon caught offside in front of their posts and in something of a rarity in the Women’s game Wainuiomata opted for three to regain the lead which Acacia Claridge-Te Iwimate knocked over with around 10 minutes left.

But the re-start gave Pare-Plim the field position they needed and they eventually drew a penalty near Wainuiomata’s line. Opting for the tap rather than three, they faked a forward charge and Te Puni threw the ball wide for Siaea who crossed. Regathering the restart Pare-Plim tried to run down the clock but conceded a penalty allowing Wainuiomata once last chance. But the ball was knocked on and full time was called.

Premier 2

Plenty of heavy scoring in the Harper Lock Shield as the big guns flexed their muscles.

Petone remain on course for the title after they eclipsed Pare-Plim 36-17, while Poneke stay second after crushing Ories 99-10.

HOBM remain in the mix after thumping Upper Hutt 55-0, MSP accounted for Avalon 62-3, and Tawa dispatched Wainuiomata 70-28. Elsewhere Norths beat Johnsonville 20-10, and OBU beat Wellington by a margin of victory and score not specified.

The highlights reel of the Porirua Park curtain raiser won’t be spectacular – but it could have been, given the number of breaks that were blown and tries bombed. In the end, Norths did enough for their 20-10 win, scoring two booming tries in the second half, to their No. 8 and openside flanker after leading 8-5 at halftime.

Johnsonville had opened the score early to take a 5-0 lead, but Norths had hit back with a 24^th minute try after a period of pressure to lock it up at 5-5. Norths maintained their momentum but could only add to their scoring with a penalty on half time.

Norths missed two clear chances early in the second half, these being their right wing knocking on over the line after a kick and chase, and their second five having the ball struck from his grasp after a run from an attacking scrum.

Finally, Norths broke through via their No. 8 to extend their lead. That same player was soon sinbinned at the other end of the field, presenting Johnsonville with an opportunity that they couldn’t take.

There was then a fight, and two red cards were given to a member of each team.

With the teams playing 14-a-side, the Norths flanker broke through to score the winning try.

Johnsonville, who were not short of chances themselves, had the final say by scoring a consolation try a couple of minutes before the end.

Colts

Just two matches today in the Colts grade with contrasting margins. At Kilbirnie Park Poneke edged out rivals MSP 24-22, while at the Hutt Rec HOBM beat Pare-Plim 67-0. Upper Hutt beat OBU 53-0 yesterday, while Tawa and Petone were both winners by default.

U85kg

Three close wins and one comfortable victory in today’s championship U85kg fixtures.

In the Division 1 Paul Potiki Shield, the OBU Scallyways battled to a 10-7 win over Avalon while the Tawa Ducks just held off the advances of the Johnsonville Terrahawks before prevailing 31-29.

In the Division 2 Tony O’Brien Shield, Marist St Pat’s blanked Eastbourne 24-0 and the Paremata-Plimmerton Piranhas beat Hutt Old Boys Marist 17-15.

College

Three matches concluded the midway round of the College Premiership today. Town moved into second behind Silverstream with a 43-17 win over Rathkeale, while it was the same margin over in Strathmore as Wairarapa College heaped more misery on Scots College. HIBS were the third victors, beating Tawa 26-10 at the CIS Campus. Silverstream and Wellington College were winners in their matches played on Wednesday over Rongotai and St Bernard’s respectively.

In Premier 2 the three unbeaten sides remained so. The Silverstream 2nds beat their 3rds 47-5, Wellington College’s 2nds accounted for Porirua 48-5, and Hutt Valley High beat Paraparaumu 33-7. Elsewhere both Bishop Viard and Kapiti opened their accounts; Viard beat the Town 2nds 27-15, and Kapiti pipped Mana 25-22.

Elsewhere

Two close matches in the Manawatu Hankins Shield playoffs today.

A week after losing to Massey, Kia Toa nearly came unstuck again as they barely held off College Old Boys 24-22. In the elimination final Freyberg survive for another week after they won away 29-22 over Feilding Yellows.

Celebrations on tonight at Levin Wanderers, as they took their first win of the year by beating Shannon 16-14 in Horowhenua-Kapiti today. Otherwise it was business as usual in the Ramsbotham Cup with Rahui winning away 34-23 over Paraparaumu, and Foxton winning 68-33 over Levin College Old Boys. Waikanae had the bye.

Results went to form in the penultimate round in Wairarapa Bush. Greytown were too strong for Pioneer yesterday by 75-12, while today Carterton were likewise big winners 50-3 over Masterton Red Star. Martinborough came away from Eketahuna with a 57-18 win, and Marist beat East Coast 49-12.

The Wairarapa-based arm of Club Rugby was, however, at Gladstone, where the home team and defending senior reserve champions prevailed 18-17 over East Coast in the mud and occasional freezing rain on their Old Timers’ Day. After an emotional presentation of a club jersey to a family who lost a member in a boating accident over the summer, it was East Coast who scored first before the hosts even got their hands on the ball. There followed a 10-minute delay when one of the home forwards suffered a suspected broken leg before “Gladdy” replied with a penalty, followed by the visitors crashing over next to the posts and with the resulting conversion took a 12-3 lead to the break.

With the elements at their back the hosts sought to apply the pressure and scored out wide before narrowing the margin to one with a second penalty, only for East Coasts forwards to muscle up and score a textbook lineout maul try and held a 17-11 lead with 20 to play. By this stage the game was getting both frantic and fractious, and Coast first lost a man to the bin for repeated infringements before Gladstone crossed from close range and the conversion gave them their first lead of the match. Coast were then reduced further by a red card, but fought their way downfield and got the numbers matched when Gladstone saw yellow. The hosts cleared the ball to touch but Coast gave it one last crack, only to end up held up.