Romping to Jubilee Cup

Northern United and Tawa can look forward to taking part in the Jubilee Cup after both premier club rugby sides posted impressive wins on Saturday.

The feeling will be one of relief among Norths’ supporters, with their side teetering at times this season, threatening to not make the top eight. As it was, a draw and two wins in their last three games – including a pleasing 75- 0 romp on Saturday against the hapless Rimutaka – was enough to secure Jubilee Cup play for yet another season.

At Porirua Park, winger Johnny Teleaga showed his class, dotting down four times as the home side ran in 12 tries. The bonus point was in the bag after 25 minutes, although there was a lull in proceedings in the 15 minutes before the break.

But Teleaga and Co stepped it up a gear in the second spell, with eight different players crossing the line.

Tawa, who have improved considerably as the season has progressed, stormed their way into the Jubilee Cup with an entertaining 46- 25 win over Wests Roosters at Lyndhurst Park. They were behind early but scored three times before half-time to go into the break 17-11 up.

Tawa’s stronger pack helped them to a 22-11 lead early in the second spell, grabbing a bonus point in the process, before second- five Jeff Makapelu scored a hattrick and No 8 Stephen Sasagi got a brace. They will be the team to watch in the Jubilee Cup round.

Tawa’s Randall Bishop finished second in the Swindale Shield points-scoring table, with 88 points from 11 matches. Norths’ Perry Hayman was one spot back, having totalled 79 points.

Norths’ second team will play in the Hardham Cup after a 22-10 win over Paremata- Plimmerton secured them fourth place in the Harper Lock Shield.

Check clubrugby.co.nz for Hardham and Jubilee Cup venues and kick-off times.