Petone, Avalon and Paremata-Plimmerton win Finals Day trophies

• By Steven White & Scott MacLean

The Petone club won all three finals that they contested on Porirua Park 1 on WRFU’s Finals Day today, with the Premier Men’s winning the Jubilee Cup with an 18-10 win over Hutt Old Boys Marist, their Premier 2s winning the Ed Chaney Cup with a 19-8 win over Hutt Old Boys Marist  and their Women’s beating Oriental-Rongotai 36-12 to defend the Tia Paasi Memorial Cup.

Avalon were in two finals today on Porirua 2 and won both. Their women’s team beat Old Boys University 29-12 to win the Division 2 Izzy Ford Cup and their Men’s second XV beat Johnsonville 22-15 in the Premier 2, Division 2 HD Morgan Memorial Cup.

Paremata-Plimmerton won the Premier Hardham VC Memorial Cup by beating the Wellington Axemen 45-25.

A round-up of Finals Day matches is below – with reports from the three matches that were played on Porirua 1 – as well as Colts and college competitions round-ups. 

Jubilee Cup

Petone won the 2026 Jubilee Cup with a gutsy 18-10 win over Hutt Old Boys Marist. It’s the first time since 2005 Petone have won the prize and the 27^th in their storied history.

 

Both the conditions and the closeness in quality across the board made this one of the most hard-fought Jubilee Cup finals in several years.

Petone ended their longest title drought (21 years) by scoring two tries and kicking two penalties and turned around a 5-10 halftime deficit.

Petone halfback Cam Ferreira won the Jim Brown Plate for the Player of the Final with a bustling, abrasive game in difficult conditions throughout.

Led by lock Archie Schrader and loose forwards, openside flanker Braith Ingram and No. 8 and captain Connor Tuifao, and with several lion-hearted performances by others, Petone made a number of big second half turnovers that shut the Eagles out of the game.

None more so than Tuifao’s turnover inside his own 22 in the 59^th minute that saved a likely Eagles try, as Petone led 15-10 and the big Eagles pack was starting to find its mojo and looked like creating a try that could have changed the game’s momentum.

Tuifao stopped HOBM’s charge cold as they escaped out of the danger zone and set up a final 20 minutes for the ages. With the southerly behind them, Petone won back territory and came home stronger. They only added one further penalty to the scoreboard but that was enough for them.

In a match of few clean chances, Petone halfback Ferreira scampered to the tryline from an attacking scrum and his support player was held up on the line.

Another big moment came soon after when Braith Ingram made a on-one-one turnover penalty and once against stopped dead any hopes that HOBM were looking to establish to break out and hit back.

Fullback Thompson Tukupua missed the resulting penalty, but he was successful with another soon after a breakdown penalty by lock Schrader , and with an 8-point lead HOBM couldn’t come back over the final few minutes. They launched a late assault but replacement lock Teofilo was sinbinned.

Earlier, playing into the wind, Petone made a furious start to the final and were almost in for the opening try following a Jacob Waikari-Jones stab kick that was regathered and play was recycled inside the 22. The Eagles held on, but Petone were up into the attacking zone moments later after a scrum penalty 40 metres out.

A second chance went begging but No. 8 and captain Tuifao’s offload in the tackle within touching the base of the posts was knocked on.

Petone fullback Tukapua ran back the next clearing kick and penalty won another penalty and went for the lineout in the corner. On another penalty advantage, hooker Kaleb Saxon crashed through to score the final’s opening try for a 5-0 lead after 11 minutes.

HOBM first-five Khya Wilson steadied the ship for the Eagles with a 40-metre penalty straight ahead, 5-3 after 13 minutes.

The best part of the next 20 minutes was punch and counter punch as HOBM started winning breakdown turnovers and both sides struggled to win and control their own lineout ball.

Wilson had a second long-range shot on goal, it failed to land.

A booming 40 metre run up into Petone’s 22 by HOBM flanker Asola Taape was the catalyst for impetus to push the Eagles hot on to attack.

With time running out before the turnaround and a shift playing into the wind, they got the try they desperately wanted – right on halftime.

The try followed No. 8 Mika Alaifatu being bundled out in the clubrooms corner. Petone’s Schrader won a clean defensive lineout, but HOBM’s forwards turned the ball over close to the line and the Eagles pack needed no second invitation and loose forward Luca Rees crashed over in a sea of bodies to score.

Wilson added the extras and the Eagles now led 10-5 as the two teams swapped for halftime.

Petone fullback Tukapua opened the second half with a 49-metre penalty, 10-8 to HOBM.

With the sun coming through – albeit briefly – Petone launched themselves straight back on to attack with a kick and chase up the far touchline.

HOBM couldn’t break out of their territory and Petone soon had possession back. Through a series of pick and goes openside flanker Ingram scored under the posts and Petone now led 15-10 with half an hour to play.

The 18-10 fulltime scoreline was the same score that HOBM beat Marist St Pat’s by in 2007 when they won the first of their three titles.

The Petone team that won the Jubilee Cup was: 1-Heath Tuifao, 2-Kaleb Saxon, 3-Harry Rankin, 4-Archie Schrader, 5-Jono Bailey, 6-Kitiona Leitufia, 7-Braith Ingram, 8-Connor Tuifao ©, 9-Cam Ferreira, 10-Jacob Waikari-Jones, 11-William Davis, 12-Jordan-Glen Bradbrook, 13-Lester Maulolo, 14-Jermaine Pepe, 15-Thompson Tukapua. Bench: 16-Conley Alexander, 17-Kafaongo Katoa, 18-Jarrod Hrstich, 19-Kingston Hill, 20-Axel Daken, 21-Rory Woollett, 22-Tom Carter

Up on the top field at Porirua Park, Paremata-Plimmerton beat the Wellington Axemen 45-25 to win the Hardham VC Memorial Cup.

This was by far and away the biggest score of the day, in conditions up top on Porirua 2 being tougher than down below with the effects of the biting southerly more pronounced.

For Paremata-Plimmerton, No. 8 Jeremiah Avei-Collins scored two tries, as did replacement wing Louis Northcott, while hooker Toby Mallon and second-five Marzy Karim also found the tryline.

Wellington lock Archie Treadwell scored another try, to finish with 17 for the season, while halfback Caleb Aiulu and props Tui Tuiatuia and Mike Rongo found the whitewash.

Paremata-Plimmerton pulled clear of the Axemen in the fourth quarter, to establish a 45-20 lead. The Axemen scored the game’s last try to close it all up.

The start of the final saw both sides score early tries and Paremata-Plimmerton led 7-5 inside 10 minutes.

Paremata-Plimmerton doubled their lead to 14-5, and then added a third try and a penalty to lead 22-5. The Axemen crossed for their second try and it was 22-12 at halftime.

The Hammerheads then scored immediately after the break to pull clear 29-12. Once more, the Axemen came back with a try and a penalty and the final was far from decided at 29-20.

However leaders then scored twice more to take the game out of the Axemen’s hands.

The winning Paremata-Plimmerton team was: 1-Tony Coburn, 2-Toby Mallon, 3-James Coburn, 4-Junior Davey, 5-Alby Hemopo, 6-Alex Fidow, 7-Christian Fa’avae ©, 8-Jeremiah Avei-Collins, 9-Esi Komaisavai, 10-Dale Sabbagh, 11-Caleb Alaga, 12-Marzy Karim, 13-Floyd Rose, 14-Joe Faleafaga, 15-Jono Ryan. Bench: 16-Davis Eni, 17-Werdna Maligi-Leota, 18-Trent Livesey, 19-Tane McMillan-Parata, 20-Zane Edwards, 21-Louis Northcott, 22-Ethan Webster-Nonu

Premier 2 Ed Chaney Cup

Stirring defence and steadfast commitment in tough conditions proved the keys for Petone’s 19-8 Ed Chaney Cup win over Hutt Old Boys Marist a hard-fought match.

Petone scored two converted tries in the first half and one more – the match-winner – about several minutes before fulltime, as HOBM were left rueing numerous chances to launch a comeback in a 25-minute period in the second half.

Petone also lost a player to the sin-bin in this time, but the Eagles could only come away with an unconverted try and a penalty.

Petone had first use of a moderate southerly, although the heavy rain seen first in the women’s final had subsided by kick-off.

The opening 20 minutes of this final was mostly played between the 22s, before a kick ahead into the right corner set up field position for Petone. They launched a multi-phase build-up and halfback Harry Wall soon darted over the line. His try was disallowed, but Petone soon scored through first-five Ben Brooking in that same corner as it all started. Fullback Max Hosking kicked a sideline conversion and Petone went up 7-0 after 25 minutes.

Petone missed two golden chances to score their second a minute before halftime. They won a scrum penalty and kicked for the lineout in the same corner. This was defended, as was a subsequent scrum under the posts.

But the Villagers made good on their third chance, with another scrum and several phases under the posts and evergreen hooker Ryan Imrie came up with the vital try to make it 14-0 at the break as they turned to play into the elements.

Now with the wind, HOBM muscled up and tighthead prop Daniel Masoe spun and burrowed over from close-quarters. The conversion attempt from the handy angle missed and Petone led 14-5.

HOBM swarmed back on to attack. Petone stopped another try but their second five Josh Auvele was sin-binned. After a number of penalties but no more tries, the Eagles kicked a penalty from in front and Petone led 14-8 after 58 minutes.

Moments later the Eagles were almost in for a chargedown try, but once more, Petone’s stout defence kept them out as they were restored to 15 players Both sides made substitutions and brought on fresh legs heading into the final 10 minutes.

Petone worked their up-field and after a long period of possession, lock Marco Venter crashed over near the southeastern corner to make it 19-8. Venter had handled at least three times over the previous two minutes of phase play and one-off running that created the try.

As well as Venter, fellow lock Nathan Hermans, loosehead prop and captain Dylan Turnnull, blindside Levi Morgan and openside Jacob Beaumont all had big games in Petone’s pack.

Petone’s winning team was: 1-Dylan Turnbull, 2-Ryan Imrie, 3-Richard Hanisi, 4-Nathan Hermans, 5-Marco Venter, 6-Levi Morgan, 7-Jacob Beaumont, 8-Chris Lolohea, 9-Harry Wall, 10-Ben Brooking, 11-Seth Tufuga, 12-Josh Styche, 13-Josh Auvele, 14-Wesley Faitele, 15-Max Hoskings. Bench: 16-Regan Shaw, 17-William Eastman, 18-Jake Marriner, 19-Adam Driver, 20-Kaleb Sinclair, 21-Josh Tanner, 22-Tamahou “The Silver Fox” Waikari

In the HD Morgan Memorial Cup Premier 2, Division 2 decider, Johnsonville went up 7-0 with a converted try to prop Mike Faimalo. Avalon replied smartly with a try to their prop Apisinia Luka, followed by a Johnsonville penalty and the Hawks led 10-7 midway through the first half.

Avalon then scored their second seven-pointer, lock Maka Mulikihaamea finding the line. Thomas Kiwara’s conversion put them up 14-7. Johnsonville kicked a penalty to make it 14-10 at halftime.

After the break, Avalon went big with a try to second-five Ale Peni and a penalty to fullback Ben Wright had Avalon up 22-12.

Johnsonville closed the gap with a penalty and there was no further scoring over a willing fourth quarter in the difficult conditions.

Premier Women Tia Paasi Memorial

Petone defended their Division 1 title and added to their first round title win with an emphatic 36-12 win over Oriental-Rongotai in the final.

Petone won the game with a relentless spell on attack throughout the first half in pouring rain. Ories defended gallantly, but they weren’t going to stop the Ponies running in three tries and kicking a penalty to lead 22-7 at halftime.

A chargedown try to electric centre Ana Kerr and Petone’s fourth of the match put them up 31-7 early in the second half and that was the winning of the game.

This was Petone’s 21^st straight win in the women’s competition, going back to May 2025, and it was one of the loudest cheers of the day from them and their supporters on fulltime.

Petone first-five Litia Bulicakau was the Player of the Final for a controlled, measured performance in tough conditions.

Petone had set their template early, dominating possession and territory throughout the first eight minutes – before a turnover and an 80-metre runaway try under the posts by Black Fern Ayesha Leti-L’iga put Ories up 7-0.

Petone resumed their relentless attack inside Ories’ 22 and the dam finally broke when ex-Black Fern and No. 8 Jackie Patea-Fereti ran through to score to make it 7-7 after 15 minutes.

Petone were in for their second try in the 23^rd minute, following a couple of previous handling errors close in to the ruck. Petone had an attacking scrum and moved the ball across Orie’s uprights to centre Kerr who barged over from close range for her first try. First-five Litia Bulicakau’s conversion put them up 14-7.

Ories were held up over their own line and Petone put down another scrum from a similar spot. Petone stretched Ories over both sides of the ruck and left wing Milla Tarawhiti crossed in the clubrooms corner to make it 19-7 after 30 minutes.

Bulicakau threw over a penalty soon after to extend the lead to 22-7, as the steady rain continued making handling increasingly fraught as the teams broke for the halftime interval.

Petone started the second half in perfect fashion when centre Kerr charged down an Ories clearing kick and put her wiper blades on in a 30 metre run to the line.

Another fearless run by Kerr up towards the 22 set up space for Petone lock Trilaine Raika-Suitauloa who ran into a gaping hole and crossed for their next try. Bulicakau added the extras and at 36-7 with 25 minutes to play there was little hope for Ories.

Or was there? Ories hit back straightaway with a classic try to Leti-l’iga, running first phase off an attacking scrum and interchanging with centre Fa’asua Makisi and scoring her second to make it 36-12.

Ories right wing Rosie and centre Makisi combined to push Ories close, a kick and chase was kicked into the righthand corner and Petone escaped with a goal-line dropout and the chance was lost.

Petone rallied at the other end, as Ories defended gallantly over the next several minutes and broke out. There was no further scoring and Leti-L’iga went close to scoring a hat-trick and consolation try but ran out of space chasing a kick and chase up.

For Petone, as well as Kerr, Patea-Fereti and first-five Bulicakau, there were several big 80-minute performances. Amiria Ranapia was in the thick of the action all day, as were flankers Lourdes Faifua and Fono Bason.

For Ories, blindside flanker Sinead Ryder had a massive game on defence, making several thunderous tackles and locks Dylin Alaimoana-Asia and Evelyn Tea – who celebrated her 100^th game last week – were busy.

Petone’s winning team was: 1-Huria Monika, 2-Amiria Ranapia, 3-Mary-Lee Sa’u, 4-Eva Maora, 5-Trilaine Raika-Suitauloa, 6-Fono Bason ©, 7-Lourdes Faifua, 8-Jackie Patea-Fereti, 9-Milly Mackey, 10-Litia Bulicakau, 11-Milla Tarawhiti, 12-Lynda Rabeni-Vatuloka, 13-Ana Kerr, 14-Ofeira Hunt, 15-Georgia Thompson. Bench: 16-Louise Tangitutu, 17-Sieni Uluulu, 18-Lavinia Lea, 19-Penelope Taulafo, 20-Emily Forster, 21-Te Arani Vulu, 22-Tyler Bentley.

The Avalon Shewolves won the Division 2 Izzy Ford Cup final with a 29-12 2win over the OBU Imapalas.

Avalon build a three-try 17-0 lead after half and hour, which won them the final. OBU hit back with a kick and chase strike from a srcum in centre-field to close their deficit to 17-5 at halftime.

Like Petone in their final, Avalon struck first early in the second half to go 22-15 up. OBU replied but Avalon scored their fifth and final try of the final with about 20 minutes to play to seal their win.

Colts John Kelly and Vic Calcinai Memorial Cups

Five points. That’s all the margin was in determining who’ll contest next week’s Colts John E Kelly Memorial Colts final.

With a half-hour headstart on matters, HOBM did what they needed to against Tawa on the Hutt Rec, taking a bonus-point win by 27-10 and then having to sit and wait for the outcome on the south side of the river.

The worst of the front had passed through Petone by the time the home Villagers kicked off with the breeze at their backs towards visitors MSP, but it was still bitterly cold and extremely waterlogged underfoot. Despite playing with the elements, Petone struggled to apply much in the way of pressure let alone points. An early penalty attempt was missed, and it took fully 32 minutes before accounts were opened through a Petone penalty. MSP played almost the perfect half wet-weather rugby, tying the ball up for extended periods and having the better scoring chances.

Turning around in the second half, MSP eventually got their try when Dubliner halfback Dara Twomey scampered through. Petone’s reply came through the best bit of back line play of the day; midfielder Harvey O’Rourke found a gap off a midfield scrum. He was brought down, but Petone were able to quickly recycle it and it found O’Rourke who splashed over.

With their season in the balance MSP needed to score next. And they did when after laying siege to the Petone line, impressive prop Ioane Aukustino crashed over and got the ball down through a mass of limbs. Zack Holdswirth-Young added the extras despite looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.

Petone would take a one-point lead when O’Rourke went over under the posts off a sumptuous short ball, but the conversion was blocked when the ball fell off the tee. And it remained 13-12 until the very last moments when, after turning down a shot at goal on the angle, MSP captain Wade Kafatolu did enough to get the ball on the line in front of the referee to secure victory, 17-13.

The upshot of that put MSP on 20 points, and Petone and HOBM on 19. In their only second-round clash (the other was a victim of the weather-induced cancellation a few weeks ago) the pair drew 17-all, so the tiebreaker fell to points-difference with Petone at +45 and HOBM at +40. That all means that MSP and Petone will do it all again next week for the title.

In the Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup semifinals, Poneke had to come from behind to beat Norths 25-19, and they’ll host OBU who beat Pare-Plim 22-10

College

The four semifinalists have been found with a week to go in the Premiership after today’s penultimate round. Following Town’s win over Silverstream during the week, Wellington College went back top with a 55-12 win over Hutt International that also locked in top qualifier status. Rathkeale also booked their return to the playoffs, trouncing Scots 57-0 out in Strathmore. Rongotai took their second win. coming from 0-15 down at home against Mana to win 19-15, while in the first game of the day Wairarapa College edged out St Bernards 21-19 at home.

In Premier 2 the Silverstream 2nds and Aotea warmed up for their top-of-the-table clash next week with handy wins today. The grade powerhouse overwhelmed Hutt Valley HS 36-0, while Aotea beat Kapiti 36-22. Those two are assured of playoff rugby, as are the Town 2nds who beat Tawa 34-17. In the dash for the remaining place Kapiti have been joined by the Wellington College 2nds who beat Porirua 45-5, though Kapiti have a game in hand against Tawa coming midweek. The last match saw Paraparaumu defeat the Stream 3rds 22-12.