Petone win McBain and have Swindale in their sights, but chasing pack bunched together

Petone run in the opening try on the McBain Shield today in their win over Hutt Old Boys Marist.

• By Steven White, Scott MacLean, Adam Julian & Andy McArthur (photos)

Petone beat Hutt Old Boys Marist 29-16 in their biggest regular season match of the year, while other results today meant the chasing pack is bunched together and many teams are capable of going big on their day and the race for Jubilee Cup seedings is all on with a fortnight to play in the Swindale Shield.

Petone’s bonus point shut-out win over their close rivals and other results means they have maintained their 6-point lead at the top of the table with two matches to come, against Paremata-Plimmerton (home) and Pōneke (away). HOBM are becalmed on 38 points and now occupy sixth on he ladder. More on this match below.

Behind the leaders, it remains tight and tense with the next eight teams having much to play for over the next fortnight to determine their championship aspirations throughout July.

Tawa sounded a warning to these teams with an emphatic 75-12 win over Northern United for the Sammy Saili Memorial Trophy at Porirua Park. Their 13 tries to 2 win, which included a hat-trick to Hurricanes flanker Matolu Petaia and a double to lock Hemi Fermanis and one to his brother TJ and saw them put the afterburners on after leading 19-12 at halftime, puts them on 43 competition points.

The Upper Hutt Rams are in third on 42 (based on the WRFU points table – others will have them on 43) with a gritty, gutsy 33-32 victory over Wainuiomata at Maidstone Park, who are eighth on 32. More on this game below.

Two other teams hoping for victories to consolidate high ranking spots missed out on achieving this today. Old Boys University (fourth on 40) drew with Oriental-Rongotai 34-34 (seventh on 36) at the Polo Ground.

Ories came back in the second half after trailing 10-27 at the interval. Fullback Jordan Soli had kicked a monster penalty to see Ories trailing 10-15 late in the first half. OBU had replied with a try to flanker Jonty Riley after a quick tap from halfway and then another to No. 8 Folau Vea off the back of a 5-metre scrum to build a decent lead. Hopefully more on this game and events of the second half to follow with further information to come.

The other was at Ngati Toa Domain, where the Wellington Axemen (10^th on 21) got up to beat home side Paremata-Plimmerton 40-38 (fifth on 39). Despite this bonus point win, the Axemen (10^th on 21) are 11 points adrift of current eighth placed Wainuiomata so they are Hardham Cup bound. Hopefully more on this game to follow with further information.

Marist St Pat’s also moved up the standings today (ninth on 30) and still in the race for the Jubilee Cup with a seven tries to two 41-12 win over minnows the Avalon Wolves at Fraser Park for the Joe Aspell Cup.

The other match played that bears no direct consequence to the second round Jubilee Cup saw Johnsonville (11^th on 20) beat Pōneke 53-15 (12^th on 15) for the Galu Taufale Shield. Johnsonville scored three unconverted tries to lead 21-0 after about 25 miinutes, before Jacob Kennedy scorched up the Hardy St embankment side for their bonus point try. Pōneke scored their first try on halftime to trail 5-26, but the Hawks were in again immediately after the break and didn’t look back.

Like the Axemen, Johnsonville will be Hardham Cup bound, along with Norths, Pōneke and Avalon.

Petone regained the McBain Shield, blunting behemoth Hutt Old Boys Marist 29-16 at the Petone Rec.

Trailing 16-12 at halftime, Petone held the visitors scoreless in the second half with abrasive, disciplined defence and late tries. Prop Kafaongo Katoa slithered underneath a flail of arms and legs. First-five Jacob Waikari-Jones gleefully accepted an offload from Losi Filipo, who bounced off two Eagles before delivering a deft pass.

Against the stiff wind, Petone made a rollicking start, stretching Hutt out wide and forcing Phelan Rona to panic. A deliberate knock-on saw the winger yellow-carded. The hosts scored two tries: hooker Kaleb Saxton from a “Tony Woodcock” like lineout move and Logan Henry, who pinned his ears back and rushed 50 metres, swooping on a fumble.

HOBM eventually regrouped and, inspired by robust work from prop Vili Tauafaga, lock Ben Tuiomanufili,and No.8 Rupeni Raviyawa, gained the ascendancy. Kaya Wilson kicked three penalties, including a monster from 55 metres. Tauafaga scored a try with a damaged shoulder as Hutt went into the lead at the interval. Openside Asola Taape was in menacing form, winning three turnovers and charging with gusto.

It was a cagey third quarter until Hutt enjoyed a prolonged assault on the Petone line. Raviyawa was denied inches short, which was a turning point. Petone locks Jono Bailey and Sam Thomson were immense. Tighthead Harry Rankin slogged through 75 minutes as Petone overcame a makeshift backline. Lester Maulolo was replaced early, with Tom Carter and Cam Ferreira (on the wing) stepping up for longer than expected. Petone have won 65 of the 92 McBain Shield matches.

Upper Hutt defended the Jones/Ritchie Cup and Bill Brien Cup with a 33-32 win over Wainuiomata at home at Maidstone Park.

The Rams showed the kind of resilience that could see them go deep into the competition this season, withstanding a furious second half assault and taking their chances when it mattered.

The Rams won the game in gathering darkness in the 74^th minute after a concerted few minutes hard on attack, scoring after a tap penalty and series of thrusts at the line. Veteran replacement halfback Kaide McCashin was on hand to dart over for the winning try. They then had to watch as replacement Wainui first five and former Rams player Tyler Tane missed two consecutive penalties from 37 metres out on both sides of the posts.

The visitors had trailed 26-15 at halftime, but came back to score three unanswered tries to move ahead 32-26 after 65 minutes. The first of these followed over a minute of pick-and-go and a try to Mike Sa’u. The second saw flanker Elijah Solomona run on to a short pass by his brother Emmanuel Solomona after a lineout steal inside the Rams’ 22.

The third try that really had Wainui’s tails up was scored by hooker Ruland Fonoti after almost another minute of possession close to the line.

Wainuiomata would only end up kicking one conversion from their six tries in total, which was costly.

The determined Rams regrouped and came close to scoring in the 70^th minute but were held up. They continued to rally and scored the winner soon after.

Earlier, the Rams outscored Wainui four tries to three by the end of the first half.

As they did against Norths last week, Wainui played with plenty of flair and enterprise as they frequently looked to rip it wide. They were rewarded with the game’s first try after a few minutes when they went wide to left wing Ah Hao Milovale from a lineout on the grandstand side, and he scored with his first touch of the ball on debut.

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The Rams replied almost immediately when first five Dawson Smith put a cross kick out to left wing Josh Love who scored.  Love would soon leave the field and the ground nursing a bloody nose.

However, Wainui replied with another entertaining try that saw right wing Ray Va’a get caught short of the line but flanker Elijah Solomona was in support to score the first of his two tries.

Once more, the Rams rallied and centre Todd Svenson ran in in front of the electronic scoreboard to put his team up 14-10 after 20 minutes. The Rams quickly scored their third try and perhaps their best of the day when halfback Swayde Brightwell made a clean break up the middle which was carried on by others, including lock Jack Wright, and the try was scored out wide by Shohn Hunt.

The Rams were enjoying their best period of the match and hooker Latu Tupou scored from a clinical lineout try. Fullback Liam Slight kicked his third conversion and the Rams led 26-10.

Right on half time Wainui scored their third try, another emphatic try by going wide from an attacking scrum.

For the Rams, No 8 and captain Murphy Taramai was inspirational, while Wainui’s midfield Renata Kotuhi and Mikade Fono, and halfback Keanu Kotuhi who started at first five and played the second half at halfback, all played well.

Premier 2

Petone took a massive step to retaining the Harper Lock Shield, beating HOBM 19-16 in the clash of the unbeatens at the Petone Rec.

MSP remain third, but were held to a 33-all draw by Avalon, while Pare-Plim are fourth after they defeated the Axemen 52-17. Upper Hutt are fifth after their 21-10 win over Wainuiomata, and Tawa moved stay sixth after beating Norths 34-24.

In the remaining matches Johnsonville beat Poneke 41-29, and Ories accounted for OBU 69-36.

Colts

Hutt Old Boys Marist are this year’s Paris Memorial Trophy first round Colts champions.

In a clash of the unbeaten teams at the Petone Rec, the Junior Eagles beat Petone 41-29 in a high quality affair. Petone finished the first round on a perfect 40 competition points and HOBM are second on 34.

Marist St Pat’s maintained third on 28 points, despite losing to Tawa 59-35 at Lyndhurst Park. Elsewhere, Old Boys University beat Pōneke 26-17 at their student digs at Kelburn Park and the Upper Hutt Rams beat Northern United 34-31.

The Rams Colts held on desperately to the final whistle to beat the Norths Colts in the Maidstone Park curtain raiser.

Norths had scored a 68-minute try, set up by a piercing run in broken play by captain and first five Nino Mason, then attacking vigorously over the last several minutes but they couldn’t deliver a winning blow, and were held up over the line in the final moments.

Norths ultimately paid the price for a sluggish start. The Rams had earlier punished their ill discipline and lethargy to race to a 19-0 lead inside 25 minutes, and it seemed an easy win was on the cards.

Instead, Norths found their mojo and came roaring back to trail just 26-19 at half time. The comeback included two more stunning tries to fullback Ricco Poutama following his four tries last week. He would leave at half time to head back to Porirua to sit on the bench for the Premiers.

The second half was considerably more even throughout, as the Rams moved ahead 34-24 with a further try and a penalty, which proved enough – just.

Women’s

Contrasting matches in the opening round of the Women’s Tia Paasi Memorial.

Norths did it tough to beat Wainuiomata 22-17 at Porirua Park with the visitors bolstered by having Keira Su’a-Smith in their ranks. Conversely Ories were comfortable 51-0 winners over Poneke with winger Abi Isaia scoring five tries.  First round winners Petone had the bye.

In the Izzy Ford Cup OBU defeated Stokes Valley 45-0 and Pare-Plim reversed last week’s result to down Wellington 25-24.

U85kg

In the second week of second round U85kg games, known results had the OBU Scallywags beating the HOBM U85kgs 12-10 at the Hutt Rec in their Division 2 Tony O’Brien Shield match. In the same grade, Eastbourne tasted success with a 36-22 win over Wellington at HW Shortt Park.

In the Division 1 Paul Potiki Shiekd, Pōneke beat Paremata-Plimmerton 38-15.

College

Four matches in the College Premiership to complete the round after Wellington College beat Silverstream 26-17 on Wednesday.

The first game of the day was in Masterton, where Rathkeale won the local derby 17-7 over Wairarapa College. On this side of the hills Town beat Mana 60-10, St Bernard’s beat Rongotai 22-15, and Scots’ resurgence continued with a 45-19 win over HIBS.

In Premier 2 there were matching 67-5 scorelines up the coast; the Silverstream 2nds were too good for Kapiti while Paraparaumu were likewise for Porirua. The closest result of the day saw the Town 2nds edge out HVHS 36-34, the Wellington College 2nds beat Tawa 35-22, and Aotea were too good for the Silverstream 3rds by 43-19

Elsewhere

A mix of results in today’s round of Maddison Trophy in the Hawke’s Bay. Two of the results were close run affairs with Napier Tech edging Pirates 24-22 and Hastings got the win on their Club Day by 36-33 over Havelock North. The other two matches were blowouts; Taradale crushed Bridge Pa 99-7, and Napier OB Marist beat MAC 74-5.

The leading duo were both winners in the Manawatu this afternoon. Varsity rebounded from their first loss of the year to thump Feilding Yellows 69-28, while Kia Toa topped Old Boys Marist 36-19. Next door on the Arena backfields College Old Boys beat Feilding OB-Oroua 43-33, and Linton beat Freyberg 45-14.

Foxton returned to winning ways in Horowhenua-Kapiti, but were pushed all the way by Levin Wanderers before winning 38-31. Waikanae spotted their rivals Paraparaumu a 33-point start but couldn’t quite pull them back with the Soldiers winning 33-29. In the third match Rahui beat Levin College OB 35-17.

In the two games in the Wairarapa leaders Greytown maintained their unbeaten record with a 55-22 win over East Coast, while Carterton remained their closest challengers with a 64-31 win over Martinborough.

Our Wairarapa-based correspondent – aka the South Wairarapa Swamp Donkey – was in the middle for the clash at Coronation Park in Martinborough. It was a rollicking opening 25 minutes with six tries scored as the two teams went tit-for-tat and the visitors lead 21-19. But in the balance of the half Carterton exerted their dominance to score twice more and a 33-19 lead. The visitors built their lead in the third-quarter to 57-19 with four more tries, but also provided some comedy where two were nearly blown in hilarious fashion. Martinborough won the final quarter 12-7 but the damage had already been done. Towering Fijian winger Sekove Rova and centre Fiula Tameilau both score hat-tricks.