Tawa teams in the doldrums
It wasn’t a great weekend for Tawa sport.
On Saturday, the suburb’s premier rugby team’s slim chance of making the Jubilee Cup semifinals evaporated as they went down 29-14 to a resurgent Upper Hutt at Maidstone Park.
Tawa started the strongest but could not convert early pressure into points. The Rams then stormed into the contest with three unanswered tries to lead 21-0 late in the first half.
Tawa’s defence went missing at times but they were only down 21-7 at the half, after a try to prop James Coburn. Midfielder Ezra Fermanis crossed to close the gap to 21-14 in the second spell but a penalty and another try to Upper Hutt kept the home side firmly in control.
After winning the Swindale Shield and Jubilee Cup last season, Tawa have come back to earth, finishing seventh in this year’s Jubilee competition.
In Hardham Cup action, Northern United easily beat ParemataPlimmerton 43- 14 in a game dubbed ‘‘The Battle of the Bridge’’. The seven-try win means Norths will host Avalon at Porirua Park this Saturday.
In the Victoria Trophy women’s premier grade, Northern United confirmed themselves top qualifiers for the semifinals with a default win over Avalon. Tawa lost 44-0 to Old Boys-University and remain in sixth place.
In Central League football action, meanwhile, Tawa went down 3- 0 to Lower Hutt. The result keeps them just two points clear of last-placed Upper Hutt.
Both Tawa and Lower Hutt went into their game at Petone Memorial Park on Saturday on nine points, knowing a win would mean almost certain safety from relegation.
Tawa started the brighter of the two sides with Richard Bott and Mike Ramaekers proving a nuisance for the Lower Hutt fullbacks. But it was the Hutt side who struck a telling first blow after 18 minutes.
Lower Hutt moved the ball up the pitch, finding striker Jean Carlo Estrada. Estrada took a couple of steps and unleashed a 30-yard rocket that came off the right upright and into the net.
It remained 1-0 at the break and it wasn’t until the 76th minute that Lower Hutt made the game safe.
Tawa goalkeeper Lance Ramaekers put in a good save from an initial shot but Nathaniel Hailemariam was quickest to react, knocking in the rebound in a goalmouth scramble to double the lead.
The finishing touches were applied 10 minutes from time as Taylor Schrijvers rose higher than anyone else to head home.
Western Suburbs continued their excellent run of form with an impressive 3-0 win over Palmerston North Marist at Endeavour Park.
Goals to Elliot Collier, Sean Morris and Tyler Lissette ensured Wests hold on to fourth spot.