Champion teams 020: Pōneke 1975

It’s the 50th anniversary since Pōneke’s Jubilee Cup triumph, their first since 1951 and their last for another 21 years when they won again in 1996.

Heading into this year’s Finals Day 50 years on – being played on their home ground Kilbirnie Park – they are not in the Jubilee Cup final, but the club will be represented when they line up against the Upper Hutt Rams in the Hardham Cup final from noon.

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An interview story we did with Grant Griffith in 2014 is here:

https://www.clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/story.php?id=990 

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Some entries from the Today in History Files from the 1975 season:

17 May: Pōneke shock previous frontrunners Athletic 18-7 and Petone defeat MSP 14-12, giving Petone a one-match jump on the rest of the field with a month to play in the Swindale Shield. At Kilbirnie Park, Poneke centre Grant Griffith kicks four penalties and a conversion to send Athletic packing.

16 August: Jubilee Cup ‘semi-final’ between unbeaten Pōneke and University, with the winner to play big guns Petone in next week’s final. Pōneke win 26-3, scoring six tries but landing just one goal from nine attempts. Pōneke are expected to give Petone a stern test next week. Petone warm up for it with a 46-3 win over Athletic.

23 August: Anyone and everyone has picked Petone to romp to a comfortable win in today’s Jubilee Cup ‘final’ against Pōneke. But nobody has told Pōneke. With few stars and brilliantly captained by Don Cederwall, Pōneke upsets Petone 11-9 and wins its first Jubilee Cup since 1951. Pōneke apply constant pressure on Petone. A big moment comes in the 55^th minute when Pōneke wing Peter Peilua scores a key try. Petone’s only points in the final are via the boot of Richard Cleland.