Club Rugby Champion teams 018: Pōneke 2003

Pōneke came into the final against defending champions Marist St Pat’s having beaten first round Swindale Shield champions Northern United 31-8 in their semi-final.

In beating two-time defending champions MSP in the final, Pōneke reversed two losses to them earlier in the season. They started stronger in the decider and were ahead the whole match, even when MSP came close at 12-16 and then 19-23 down with 20 minutes to play the resolve of the red and blacks shone through. As well as strong defence, forwards such as locks Tau Tapasu, Conrad Pau’u, No. 8 Adam Holloway and flanker Iva Motusaga made strong in-roads with ball in hand.

2023 Jubilee Cup Final: Poneke 26 (Elvis Feu’u, Peter Savelio tries; David Holwell  2 con, 4 pen) MSP 22 (Kas Lealamanua try; Fa’atonu Fili con, 2 pen; Sam Rasch 3 pen). HT: 16-9.

*Notes on graphic above. The final score in the final was in fact 26-22 not 26-18.

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2003 Hardham Cup final:

Western Suburbs 31 (Jack Tarrant, Daniel Ese, Kane Thompson, Guy Morris tries; Scott Leighton con, 3 pen) beat Tawa 15 (Mike Finau, Hayden Lafaele tries; Glynn Ford con, pen) HT: 14-3

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2003 Wellington club rugby top try scorers:

• Brendon Watt (MSP) 12
• Michael Kingsbeer (HOBM) 10
• Cory Jane (Upper Hutt) 10
• Peato Lafaele (Norths) 10
• Iva Motusaga (Pōneke) 9
• Tim Collins (Avalon) 9
• Junior Togia (Tawa) 9
• Junior Fatialofa (Wests) 9

2003 Wellington club rugby top points scorers:

• Scott Leighton (Wests) 236
• Darren Kapene (Avalon) 194
• Peato Lafaele (Norths) 161
• Joe Tawhara (Ories) 157
• Corey Burt (J’ville) 152
• Piri Weepu (HOBM) 150

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Avalon first-five Darren Kapene was the 2003 Wellington club rugby Billy Wallace Trophy Best & Fairest winner.

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2003 Swindale Shield final standings: