Champion teams 019: Petone 1993

They have missed out on making this year’s glory rounds, but Petone remain Wellington’s most successful Jubilee Cup club with 24 title wins.

Their first was in the Jubilee Cup’s second year in 1930 and their most recent was in 2005, but prior to that last one 20 years ago they won it regularly in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

Throughout the 80s and 90s they forged a rivalry with Marist St Pat’s, which was at its peak in 1993. Avalon were also a keen rival at this time and won the first of their two Swindale Shields in 1993.

Petone were the defending champions in 1992 but had to work hard to achieve their  title defence, going on to beat MSP 27-15 in the final.

It is also a significant year for the club as their second XV also won the Hardham Cup, beating Stokes Valley 32-18 to win their final.

Some relevant entries from the Today in History files below:

1 May: Petone and Wellington first five-eighth Simon Mannix hops off a plane from Italy to score a try and two penalties to give Petone a 26-14 win over Harlequins and steer them into next week’s Swindale Shield final against Poneke.

22 May: By their own admission, MSP have flown under the radar this year. But no longer, as they thrash Norths 45-9 in second round Jubilee Cup action today. Meanwhile, joint  favourites Avalon and Petone both win well. Avalon beats Tawa 34-9 and Petone defeats Hutt Old Boys 47-16.

5 June: Unbeaten Petone sound a warning to their rivals by smoking Upper Hutt 64-25 in today’s fourth round Jubilee Cup match. In bleak conditions they pile on 35 points in one 10 minute period. Avalon are also unbeaten, lock Chris Tregaskis celebrating his 150^th game in Avalon’s 12-3 win over Poneke.

24 July: In a rematch of the Swindale Shield ‘final’ earlier in the season, Petone reverses their earlier defeat and beats Avalon 21-19 in this last round-robin Jubilee Cup encounter to finish as top qualifier for the semi-finals. Avalon qualifies third behind Petone and MSP who defeat Upper Hutt 39-10.

31 July: Petone beat Harlequins 21-14 in the major Jubilee Cup semi-final  – but only just. Needing to score a seven pointer to force extra time, the bounce of the ball from a kick ahead just eludes centre Sale Soronaki and Petone wins a cliffhanger.

7 August: Petone teams win both the Jubilee and Hardham Cup finals. Flanker Martin Leslie scores three minutes from fulltime to give Petone a 27-15 victory over MSP in the Jubilee Cup final while Petone’s second XV beats Stokes Valley 32-18 to win the Hardham Cup final.