Big scrum sets up HOBM win
A big scrummaging effort gave Hutt Old Boys Marist the momentum to beat Tawa 28-22 on Saturday.
Although HOBM look to have enough points to claim the Swindale Shield, an appeal by Tawa over points it lost against Old Boys University means the Hutt club can theoretically still come second.
It is a messy situation but on Saturday there was no doubt who the best team was.
Props Simon Malaeulu and Otto Rasch had strong games and Tawa’s scrum was always under pressure.
Once Malaeulu opened the scoring, HOBM were never behind on the scoreboard.
Tawa narrowed the gap to 13-10 at halftime but HOBM opened the second half with a nicely taken try by winger Fereti Soloa, set up by a cross kick from first five Nick Risdon.
Playing his 200th game, Risdon had a typically bustling game.
With time running out and HOBM in complete control, the match took an likely turn. Tawa scored a couple of late tries and with Alexis Time in the sin bin, HOBM were suddenly under real pressure.
Tawa all but scored and there was plenty of relief on the faces of the HOBM bench when the final whistle went.
HOBM had a number of players who stood out besides the front rowers. Loose forwards John Tufele and Lise Soloa showed form and centre Tomasi Alosio, winger James Kusel and fullback Blake McGregor all played strongly.
The news was not so good for the other Lower Hutt clubs.
Petone beat Johnsonville 24-10 but earlier results went against them and they sit precariously on seventh with only Tawa to play.
Wainuiomata’s woeful season continued with a loss to Poneke and they now need to beat Old Boys University to make the top eight.Avalon went down to Oriental Rongotai and worryingly had to default their second team.
With one round left and five teams chasing three spots in the top eight, there is a real chance that Wainuiomata and Petone will join Avalon in the Hardham Cup.