Petone win Swindale Shield on day of late boilovers and upsets throughout club and college rugby

Petone with the Swindale Shield on their home ground, following today’s win over Paremata-Plimmerton. Photo: Grant Wall.

• By Steven White & Scott MacLean

Petone are the 2026 Swindale Shield champions, winning the first-round title for the 16^th time with next week’s final round to spare with a 43-17 win over Paremata-Plimmerton this afternoon.

Petone and Paremata-Plimmerton contested a tight first half at the Petone Rec and it was 12-12 at halftime.

Petone then pulled clear in the second half courtesy of some Stanley Solomon and the reliable boot of Logan Henry. Both first-five Solomon and halfback Henry scored tries. Also to the fore for the Villagers was loosehead prop Kafa Katoa who scored two tries and openside flanker Braith Ingram who played well.

With one round to play, an unofficial Premier Swindale Shield points table reads:

Top 8 currently (to start the first week of the Jubilee Cup): Petone 54 (winners), Upper Hutt Rams 47 , Tawa 44 HOBM 43, Ories 41, OBU 41, Paremata-Plimmerton 39, Wainuiomata 36

Bottom 6 (to start the Hardham Cup as it currently looks): MSP 34, Norths 22, Johnsonville 21, Axemen 21, Poneke 15, Avalon 6.

In two all-important fixtures down the table, both Wainuiomata and Marist St Pat’s had wins today – so supporters of both those clubs will have an anxious afternoon next Saturday to determine their side’s fate.

Wainuiomata edged Johnsonville 22-15 today at Helston Park. Both team’s scored three tries, but only Wainuiomata could make their kicks and that was the difference.

Marist St Pat’s defeated Old Boys University 15-14 at Evans Bay Park. More on this game just below.

Next week sees Wainuiomata hosting Paremata-Plimmerton and MSP away playing Johnsonville.

The Upper Hutt Rams were also big winners today, beating Tawa 24-19 at Lyndhurst Park with a late surge. More on this game below. This win means that the Rams are guaranteed to start the Jubilee Cup in the top four, and they also play Avalon next week.

In other results on a windy afternoon on the shortest Saturday of the year, Hutt Old Boys Marist bounced back from their McBain Shield loss last week to beat Pōneke 45-17. The Eagles won seven tries to three with flanker Rupeni Rayiyawa scoring another two tries.

Northern United beat the Avalon Wolves 22-21 in a close match at Fraser Park.

Oriental-Rongotai beat the Wellington Axemen 31-0 at Hataitai Park.

At Evans Bay Park, Marist St Pat’s tipped over Old Boys University 15-14 in their Jack Lamason Trophy match.

In a tight match throughout, MSP won the game with about 10 minutes to play when replacement  halfback Bentley Faulkner darted over from an attacking scrum close to the line. This made it 15-7 to MSP and OBU came back but could only manage a consolation try on the stroke of fulltime to make it a one-point result.

Earlier, OBU had led 7-3 at halftime, a try to lock Jack Riley midway through the first half under the posts at the Kilbirnie Park end midway through the spell the difference at the turnaround.

MSP moved hard after the break and their pressure finally gave way when Italian No. 8 Fabio Minelli scored from a 5-metre scrum  to put them up 10-7.

Lock James Zino, who scores a try most weeks, was held up after some two minutes of relentless pick and go play and OBU held on, but couldn’t prevent MSP’s second try after a long break in play.

For the second week in a row, the Upper Hutt Rams won a barnstorming late victory. The Rams defeated Tawa 24-19 for the Mexted Motors Cup by scoring two sensational late tries. In blustery conditions, the Rams literally blew Tawa away, both tries scored from long range against the wind.

The first was scored by lock Jack Wright after  penalty near halfway in centre field and a quick tap and initial break by replacement centre Ieti Campbell. The conversion by fullback Liam Slight closed the gap to 19-17.

A couple of minutes later, loosehead prop Senio Sanele made a telling burst up towards the clubrooms corner and was cut down in a desperate tackle. The Rams recycled and replacement halfback Kaide McCashin scored the winning try.

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There was further drama at the very end of the match when Tawa had a scrum and a late attacking chance inside the 22, but the Rams pack won a scrum penalty and won the game.

Prior to the Rams’ tries, the preceding half hour of the second half had not been one to make the highlights reel, with numerous errors by both sides interspersed with yellow cards. Two of which for Tawa would prove costly for them and contribute to their defeat.

Tawa supporters would feel this one got away after they scored three consecutive tries of their own in a 10 minute period from the middle of the first half. Tries to lock John Samuelu and first five Solomona Uelese had Tawa up 14-3. It got better for Tawa when they were awarded a penalty, kicked for the corner near the clubrooms and the forwards came up with a try from the lineout drive to make it 19-3.

With their tails up, Tawa should have scored a fourth try which would have put them ahead at least 24-3, but they missed scoring from a series of penalties and scrums in the infamous northwestern corner.

Instead, the Rams broke out and regrouped. From a lineout on the far side 30 metres out, they scored a well worked try to captain and No 8 Murphy Taramai, and all of a sudden they went into halftime trailing 19-10.

Turning with the wind, Tawa made an efficient start to the second half, but couldn’t score in the face of stiff Rams defence over several minutes at the attacking end. This included turning down a penalty shot in front and going for the lineout which they messed up.

With descending gloom, the match grew increasingly scrappy as both sides wrestled for ascendancy. About midway through the second half, the Rams missed a golden chance to score a try but Tawa turned it over and counter-attacked with veteran fullback Randall Bishop almost scoring from a kick-and-chase.

With about 10 minutes to play, and both teams operating with players in the sinbin, the Rams made use of their experienced bench players such as halfback Kaide McCashin, prop Peni Taupau, and centre Campbell who was returning from an injury layoff. They seemed to gain a second wind resulting in their two tries that won the game and the cup.

Tawa were left ruing their aforementioned missed opportunities, while second five Cummings went off at half time after assisting in a try and setting up Tawa’s field position with a kick ahead in their try that wasn’t, late in the first half.

Whilst both teams are safely into the Jubilee Cup round, this result was vital for their seedings for the second round.

Premier 2

A near-clean sweep for the home teams in today’s Premier 2 Harper Lock Shield action. Petone maintained their three-point lead going into next week with a 40-25 win over Pare-Plim while HOBM didn’t even have to leave the house defaulted to by Poneke yesterday.

MSP held onto third with a 48-17 victory over OBU, Tawa leapt over Upper Hutt as they won their clash 17-16, and Avalon and Ories both secured top-eight places with wins. The Wolves beat Norths 45-19 while Ories recorded the only away win of the day by 31-12 over Wellington. The final match saw Johnsonville score their third won of the year by 36-20 over Wainuiomata.

It was the Garden of Eden in the early game at Lyndhurst Park. Home team Tawa won their game with a penalty on full time to first-five Eden Govind. This penalty was struck only moments after the Rams had seemingly scored the winning try. The visitors crossed after a series of penalties and scrums close to the line in the northwest corner of the park. This put them up 16-14.

Eden Govind with the winning penalty.

Earlier, Tawa had taken a 14-11 lead early in the second half after they had turned to play with the wind and some rain at their backs. But the game then developed into an old school tightknit affair and no further scoring was possible until the end.

Upper Hutt had led 11-7 at half time courtesy of a try after three minutes of pick-and-go, and two penalties. The Rams had dominated possession and territory but were unable to take control against the plucky home side.

Tawa had also scored a terrific try which had put them up 7-3 when second five Chester Aiono had made a telling break up the middle and offloaded to halfback Xavier Osman who scored untouched under the posts.

Colts

An upset to kick off the second round of the Colts competitions, with MSP downing Paris Memorial winners and previously unbeaten HOBM by 19-12 on Kilbirnie Park.

Petone were the day’s other winners in the John Kelly Memorial Division 1, beating Tawa 24-14.

In the second division Vic Calcinai Memorial Poneke overcame Norths 34-29, and Pare-Plim took their second win of the year, beating Upper Hutt 26-15 away at Maidstone. OBU had the bye

Women’s

Continuing the upset theme of the day, there was one in the Women’s championship Tia Paasi Memorial. Wainuiomata nearly tipped Oriental Rongotai over in their first-round clash but today finished the job with an 18-5 win. Coming off the bye Petone were predictably too strong for Poneke, winning 65-5.

Both Izzy Ford Cup matches were in the central Hutt Valley. Favourites Avalon were too good for Wellington by 44-12, while Pare-Plim reversed their earlier upset loss to Stokes Valley by prevailing 36-15.

Norths and OBU had the respective byes.

Reserve Grade

In today’s intra-OBU club match, the OBU Righteous Pink Ginners beat the Mixed Veges to defend the Ruru Shield in their match at Nairnville Park. They won five tries to one.

Mike Copeland Cup competition leaders the Pōneke Ruffnuts beat Wellington 43-0, while Wainuiomata defeated the Paremata-Plimmerton Punters 22-0 in their match and there was a pair of 28-0 wins elsewhere with the Petone Brotherhood beat the MSP Internationals 28-0 and the Johnsonville Cripples beating Tawa by the same score.

U85kg

Also winning 28-0 today were the OBU Scallywags over Wellington in the Tony O’Brien Shield Division 2 competition. The HOBM Howlers beat the Eastbourne Gulls 31-17 in the other Division 2 game today.

In Division 1 Paul Potiki Shield games, Pōneke beat the Tawa Ducks 29-0 at Redwood Park, in a reversal of their first round deciding match, and the Johnsonville Terrahawks beat the Paremata-Plimmerton Piranhas 29-17.

College

Wellington College won the 100^th Quadrangular Tournament this afternoon. They beat Nelson College 43-13 in the final at Whanganui Collegiate. The 43 points is also the same number of points they scored when they met Nelson earlier this year in their 150^th anniversary match.

Like they did on day one on Thursday in their 50-10 win over Whanganui, Wellington College did the business up front. Hooker Noah Sipeli and tighthead prop Harry Baddington each scored two tries. Nelson were in the game early but were overwhelmed. Wellington College’s first-five Joe Barry also caused problems with his running game and he also kicked four conversions.

This was Wellington Colleg’s 34th outright win in the Quad and their first since 2023.

Back in the capital, the “other” Wellington College 1st XV made lie of the situation as they convincingly beat St Bernard’s 34-12 in the Premiership encounter.

Out in Elsdon, Mana remained winless as they were beaten 39-21 by Hutt International.

In the two games over the Remutaka’s, home side Wairarapa College spotted Scots a 15-point lead at halftime in their match, but had whittled that down to just three midway through the second half. Scots though kicked away to win 39-26 with late tries to Cooper Smith and James Favel.

Thirty minutes later and a few kilometres north, Rathkeale produced the result of the Premiership season so far as they held off St Pat’s Town to win 27-26. In drizzling conditions and a brisk westerly, and after paying tribute to a young Rathkeale student who passed away during the week, it took the hosts just 57 seconds to score when physical No8 Jone Ralulu broke the line and ran 20 metres to score. Stung, Town soon responded when after a prolonged assault on the Rathkeale they went right and winger Jack Tuavaii crossed. It was tit-for-tat stuff as tries to Richie Kloeg and Titan Te Kani were answered each time by Town prop Anesi Taliau. His second came right on halftime, and Gia Johnston’s conversion gave the visitors a 19-17 lead turning with the elements behind them.

Confusingly though, Town seemed reluctant to play the territory game and it came back to bite them. William Orsborn kicked a penalty to put the hosts back in front, and after flanker Hamish Reid spilled the ball with the line open lock Josiah McCallum made no mistake when he had the opportunity. Orsborn’s conversion put Rathkeale eight points clear, but it lasted barely three minutes before Town replacement Noah Leavasa-Tavoi barged his way over with 15 minutes still to play. But any idea that the hosts were going to now roll over was put to bed, as they defended like lions to hold out wave after wave of attacks and record their biggest victory since entering the competition last season.

Captain and openside Brandon Matthews delivered a true leaders knock, ably supported by Ralulu and Kloeg. Town fullback Makarios Vaihola was a constant threat, but the seemed hampered by the loss of their captain Charlie Carter during the first half. The result moves Rathkeale into third, level with Town.

In Premier 2 the Silverstream 2nds comfortably saw off one of the pretenders to their crown, beating their Town counterparts 43-3. Aotea now loom as the ‘Streamers main threat after they crushed neighbours Porirua 55-0 while the Stream 3rds crushed Tawa 48-5. HVHS beat Paraparaumu ??-??, and the Wellington College 2nds defaulted to Kapiti to provide enough players for their “local 1st XV” match against St Bernard’s above.

One result of note down the grades, with Mana beating Town 27-24 in Under 15 Division 1 action.

Elsewhere

Wins for leading pair Varsity and Kia Toa in the Manawatu today, albeit rather contrasting ones. Varsity thumped Old Boys Marist 69-14, while Kia Toa squeezed past Feilding Yellows 30-24. Elsewhere College Old Boys accounted for Freyberg 57-12, and Feilding Old Boys-Oroua triumphed 33-7 away at Linton.

Napier OB Marist and Taradale are the first two teams into the semi-finals in Hawke’s Bay in a fortnight’s time. NOBM were predictably easy winners over minnows Bridge Pa by 80-14, while Taradale edged past Pirates 26-23 and leaving Sheridan Rangihuna’s team needing help elsewhere next week. Havelock North remain in the hunt after a 55-14 win over MAC, and Napier Tech and Hastings played out a 24-all draw that keeps both teams alive.

Results all went with form in Horowhenua-Kapiti. Foxton outclassed Levin College OB 60-12, Waikanae took down Rahui 38-29 at the Otaki Domain, and Paraparaumu beat Levin Wanderers 45-12.

And in the two matches in Wairarapa-Bush Carterton were 48-14 winners over Masterton Red Star, while Marist conceded two late tries but were too good for Martinborough by 47-22. Greytown and East Coast had the byes. In the clash of the day in the Senior Reserves Gladstone celebrated their Old Timers Day with a narrow 17-15 win over Martinborough.

Masterton Red Star led 14-5 early but Carterton came back to lead 22-14 at halftime. They won 8 tries to 2, which included a another hat trick to Sekove Rova Finau who now has 10 tries in his last 4 matches. Masterton Red Star played the last 20 mins with 14 Carterton now have 25 home wins in a row.