Tawa and HOBM earn week off, while Upper Hutt Rams and Pōneke drop out of Jubilee Cup race

Penalty try. There were a handful of these in games yesterday, here’s is OBU’s against Petone in their Premier 2 Ed Chaney Cup match at Petone 2.

• By Steven White, Scott MacLean and Adam Julian

Premier draw next weekend at a glance:

• Jubilee Cup: Tawa and HOBM byes. Paremata-Plimmerton v Petone, Ories v Johnsonville
• Hardham Cup: Upper Hutt Rams v Avalon, Pōneke v Axemen, Old Boys Unviersity v Wainuiomata, Marist St Pat’s v Norths.

UPDATED: Tawa and Hutt Old Boys Marist are the two Premier teams that can put their feet up next week, beating Paremata-Plimmerton and Oriental-Rongotai today in today’s ‘top 4’ opening round Jubilee Cup matches.

Tawa (ranked 2) beat Paremata-Plimmerton (3) 28-26 at home, while HOBM (4) defeated first round winner and previously unbeaten Oriental-Rongotai (1) 28-16 at the Polo Ground.

In today’s two other first round Jubilee ‘5-8’ matches, Petone (6) beat Pōneke (7) 37-15 and Johnsonville (8) defeated the Upper Hutt Rams (5) 32-28.

This means that Pōneke and the Rams drop down to the Hardham Cup for the remainder of the season.

Hardham Cup results today saw Old Boys University (9) beat Avalon (14) 90-6, Marist St Pat’s (10) beat the Wellington Axemen (13) 61-15 and Norths (12) defeated Wainuiomata (11) 25-19.

In a run-down of some games today, it is understood that Tawa’s two-point win over Paremata-Plimmerton was a carbon-copy of what happened last week – with Tawa scoring two tries in the final five minutes to win.

At a muddy, turgid Polo Ground, the HOBM forward pack collectively stood out to become the first team this season to topple Ories.

Their cohesion and physicality as a unit won the game. Hooker Harry Press and locks Teofilo Paulo and Ben Tuiomanufili were impressive individuals in the tight five, while Jordan Gillies had a terrier of a game in the loose. Left wing Fritz Rayasi scored two tries.

Ories were let down by poor discipline, suffering three yellow cards to severely hamper their chances of keeping their unbeaten run going.

Johnsonville Hawks supporters at Maidstone Park were left with a much closer finish than they might otherwise have expected midway through the second half when they apparently had the game sewn up at 32-9 and with a Rams player sent to the sin-bin.

Johnsonville had led 22-9 at halftime, on the back of a try to first-five Nial Delahunt and two tries to right wing Finlay Sharp, the third this one below:

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They defended their line for long periods early in the second half, but then another breakout try to go with Sharp’s second, saw Ish Perkins offload to Jacob Walmsley and the latter to score. Another penalty followed and the Hawks were flying.

But the Rams then flicked into life and laid on a three-try burst of their own to get close, the second of these being a long-range try to second five Ieti Campbell. They got to withing a try of victory in the 77^th minute but Johnsonville  held on and won.

A stoic defensive shift combined with some sparkling counterattacks powered Petone to a convincing 37-15 victory over Pōneke. In stark contrast to recent weeks, the Villagers’ scrum and lineout were robust, and their overall accuracy surpassed that of the visitors, who squandered numerous scoring opportunities.

The most exciting moment of the match – and indeed the most crucial – occurred when Pōneke was trailing 16-3 and peppering the Petone line. First five-eighths Carlos Hihi fumbled the ball, lock Logan Wakefield pounced like a panther, racing towards halfway. Winger Jakib Tainui was in support and, with clear space ahead, he was unstoppable.

If the game wasn’t effectively over at 23-3, it certainly was when centre Losi Filipo powered over from close range shortly after the break, increasing the lead to 30-3. While Filipo had some high-quality moments, it would be beneficial for him to be more involved.

The Wellington Lions selectors must be taking notice of openside Braith Ingram. A cast anchor over the ball, his relentless work rate, consistency, and youthful ambition make him a deserving candidate for a higher level.

It was a day when Petone’s unsung heroes flourished. Rory Woollett kicked flawlessly, converting seven goals from seven attempts, and provided steady stewardship at ten. Lachie Forbes, who has made 13 starts this season, broke clear to score the final try. The starting props, Marcus Roil and Kafa Katoa, were immense and locks Wakefield and Bailey were pesky.

Tainui has spent much of 2025 in the reserves. He had an outstanding game. He scored the first try with a spontaneous chip-and-chase, amplifying the outrageous ingenuity of Captain Connor Tuifao, who flipped the ball between his legs and out of sight to rejuvenate a lagging attack. Tainui spotted the space behind and deftly executed the kick, quickly pursuing the ball.

During the middle of each half, Pōneke monopolised possession and territory. There were commendable efforts from openside Luca Belcucci, No. 8 DJ Taoipu, striking winger Ifeanyichukwu Nnebechukwu-Tonu and substitute halfback Jimmy Lee-Hongara Although Pōneke managed to score two tries that closed the gap to 30-15, the Street Kids were always chasing.

At Lyndhurst Park, both Tawa and Paremata-Plimmerton scored four tries apiece as Tawa hunted down the Hammerheads late.

Openside flanker Luke Bidois scored two tries and fullback Jacob Denyer and first-five James So’oialo one apiece. Hemi Fermanis also had another standout game.

For Tawa, halfback Esi Komiaisavai continued his hot form, and scored one try to take his tally to 20 for the season.

The first two of the Hardham Cup matches were one-way traffic to the home teams.

MSP were far too strong for the Axemen, being back in relatively dry land at home this week, while OBU put the second half afterburners on to crush hapless Avalon.

OBU scored 14 tries against the Wolves, with five of these coming to their halfbacks, Mitch McLeod (3) and Jake Lawson (2). Lock Johnny Falloon also scored a hat-trick, while Reece Plumtree went one better and scored four tries. Oscar Lynch and Malo Tevita-Manuao scored their other tries.

MSP scored 10 tries against the Axemen, scored by nine different players.

For the first time in over two months, Norths got to belt out their victory song, with a come-from-behind 25-19 win over Wainuiomata in the third of these Hardham Cup games today.

The drizzle from the early afternoon had dissipated by the time kick-off rolled around, and it was an even start to proceedings as Andrew Wells and Jackson Garden-Bachop made plenty of use of their right legs to try and generate field position for their sides.

Norths had the first real chance after 20 minutes, forcing a 5m scrum that they drove over the line but the usually reliable Luca Rees lost control of it, and subsequent drives were rebuffed. As is often the case the first try came against that run of play as home No.8 Braydon Soi found himself in space down the right and strolled across.

Things got worse for the visitors minutes later. Winger Raymond Va’a was the first to a deft midfield chip by Wells and the ball spun left for centre Mikade Fono to win the race to the line.

Needing a response before the interval Norths got it when tighthead prop Reuben Ape-Tuputala barged over, before closing the gap with a Garden-Bachop penalty to end the half.

Norths couldn’t have started the second half any worse than they did, as Va’a stole an intercept and raced 50m to score in the clubrooms corner. But where they might have folded, Norths knuckled down, and despite sometimes getting in their own way and having to work their way back upfield after yet another booming Wells clearance. One of those however fell to diminutive fullback Zion Fuiava who did his best waterbug impression over the heavy ground with an incisive run that started a move that Toby Kennett finished.

Premier 2

Premier 2 draw next weekend at a glance:

• Ed Chaney Cup: Petone and Pōneke, Marist St Pat’s v Hutt Old Boys Marist and Old Boys University v Upper Hutt Rams
• HD Morgan Memorial: Tawa v Wellington Axemen, Ories v Avalon, Paremata-Plimmerton v Johnsonville, Wainuiomata v Norths

The top qualifiers from the Harper Lock Shield round, Petone and Pōneke, earned next week off, with Pōneke (2) beating Marist St Pat’s (3) 47-15 and Petone (1) beating Old Boys University (4) 14-7.

Whilst it was an easier ride for Pōneke, Petone overcame OBU in a slog on Petone 2, which was a mudbath and heavy going.

OBU came to play against the first round champions, but it was the former who scored the game’s first try when they profited from a kick and chase and slide through to score in the corner.  That was the only scoring of the first half and it was 5-0 at halftime.

OBU had the biting breeze at their backs in the second spell and pushed Petone close, before being rewarded with a  penalty try from a lineout drive in the corner to go up 7-5.

Petone regrouped and kicked three consecutive penalties to lead 14-7. OBU pressed hard to the end but clean breaks were hard to come by.

In other Premier 2 results today,  the Upper Hutt Rams beat Tawa 25-17 in a minor upset, Norths beat Johnsonville 34-20,HOBM beat Ories 43-29, Paremata-Plimmerton beat Wellington and Wainuiomata defeated Avalon 20-13.

Prop Mike Sa’u and the boot of Cory de Kort were enough for Wainuiomata to win their Premier 2 HD Morgan clash with Avalon 20-13 at William Jones. Played in steady drizzle the first 20 minutes was a scoreless affair as both sides struggled to get to grips with the conditions, but the deadlock was broken when Sa’u powered over from close range with De Kort converting that and a subsequent penalty. Avalon skipper Pati Crichton might have nightmares about two missed chances; firstly dropping a pass after an intercept with the line open, before having the ball knocked from his grasp near the line by his ageless opposite Uale Mai. But at the third time of asking he got there, scooping up a dropped ball before getting over, and then added a penalty to have his side only two points down.

The second half was off higher-quality than the first with plenty of endeavour but little scope to for scoring. As with the first it was Sa’u who got the scoreboard moving, again converted by De Kort along with another penalty, but when Avalon scored straight off the restart the possibility of extra-time loomed. But with time up the Wolves failed to secure possession at a ruck as they marched downfield, knocked on, and the chance lost.

Colts

The first round Colts Paris Memorial Trophy concluded this afternoon, with the Upper Hutt Rams defeating Tawa 39-24 in a ‘virtual’ final at Redwood Park.

This was a close fixture, with the Rams pulling clear late in the match with two tries.

The HOBM Eagles leapfrogged Tawa into second with their 56-5 last round win over MSP. This match was for the McGuinness Shield.

In other results, Ories drew level with Petone on fourth equal on the points table with their 19-15 win, while Paremata-Plimmerton toppled OBU Green 34-20.

More on the Colts draw to come, but at a glance, the top two finishers the Upper Hutt Rams and HOBM Green get next week off and in two matches next week, third placed Tawa play sixth placed Pōneke and fourth and fifth Ories and Petone repeat.

U85kg

The Tawa Ducks show kept on rolling this afternoon on neutral Petone 3 with a 67-0 win over the Old Boys Boys University Scallywags. The latter had 16 players to start with and then three early injuries that meant they played most of the game undermanned.

In the other top tier Paul Potiki Shield match today, the Johnsonville Terrahawks beat the Wellington Light Axemen 18-12.

In division 2 Tony O’Brien Shield contests, HOBM and Eastbourne drew 19-19, the Paremata-Plimmerton Piranhas ate up MSP 55-0 on Ngati Toa 4 and Avalon had the bye.

Elsewhere

As it perhaps should be, the top two teams will contest next Saturday’s Manawatu Hankins Shield Final. Massey beat College Old Boys 32-24 in today’s Preliminary Final to set up a third clash with Kia Toa.

A massive boilover in Horowhenua-Kapiti today, with leaders Rahui beaten by Levin Wanderers 23-13, with the winners taking only their second win of the season. Foxton almost suffered the same fate but edged out Paraparaumu 30-27 to take the competition lead, while Waikanae beat Levin College Old Boys 40-24. Shannon had the bye this week, with the final round coming next Saturday.

Just the one Premier game in the quarterfinal round in the Wairarapa today, with Eketahuna having forfeited to Martinborough earlier in the week. That was a Masterton derby, and saw last years bottom-side, Masterton Red Star tip over last years runners-up Marist 20-15. That means MRS will face Carterton in next week’s Moose Kapene Cup semifinals with Greytown hosting Martinborough, and Marist dropping into the Hodder-Steffert bracket.