Tawa lose Jubilee Cup opener to Marist
Tawa lost a close contest to Marist St Pat’s as club rugby’s premier Jubilee Cup swung into gear on Saturday.
The Porirua basin’s only representative in the top competition, Tawa lost 12-8 to MSP in their opening match of the Jubilee Cup, at Lyndhurst Park.
Playing into a stiff breeze, Tawa were only behind 5-3 at the break, after MSP’s hooker scored from a five-metre lineout.
Tawa held possession for long periods but struggled to convert any of it into points.
Marist’s defence stood strong, even after they had lock Nick Harrison in the sin bin.
Hurricanes No 8 Victor Vito, who was outstanding, crossed early in the second half after sustained pressure, but Tawa winger Faraimo Nofoaiga responded with a superb try in the corner.
The final 30 minutes was frenetic, and the turnovers and knockons mounted up as both sides looked for the killer blow, but neither could muster any points.
Tawa next come up against Poneke at Kilbirnie Park this Saturday.
All Jubilee Cup and Hardham Cup matches kick off at 2.15pm due to the All Black test later that evening.
In the Hardham Cup, Northern United held Paremata Plimmerton scoreless in the local derby at Ngatitoa Domain.
A slim 10-0 halftime lead was converted into a 41-0 final score as the second spell opened up and seven tries were scored in total, with winger Te Kahui Bishop bagging another two.
Just three of the tries were converted, one by Jackson Garden-Bachop, and two by replacement Peato Lafaele.
Norths play Old BoysUniversity seconds this Saturday at Porirua Park, while Paremata Plimmerton host Hutt Old Boys Marist at Ngatitoa Domain.
In the women’s competition, Old Boys-University upset Norths 26-20 during the women’s gala day at Petone Recreation Ground.
It was Norths’ first loss this season and meant the Challenge Cup changed hands for the first time.
The Porirua side sit second in the table after two matches, behind Wainuiomata.
In premier schoolboy rugby, St Pat’s Town overcame Bishop Viard College 53-8.