Avalon make MSP work for Swindale lead
DEFENDING champions Marist St Pats sit atop the standings after the second round of the Swindale Shield, and while newcomers Paremata-Plimmerton showed some fight, they remain firmly at the bottom of the ladder.
MSP endured a spirited first half from Avalon before grinding out their second win of the season on St Pat’s Town’s artificial turf.
Paremata-Plimmerton couldn’t hold out Wainuiomata in a 44-5 loss at Mary Crowther Park, while Ories are in unfamiliar territory after they were pipped by unbeaten Tawa at Lyndhurst Park. Hutt Old Boys Marist, Wellington, Poneke and Upper Hutt were the other winners.
HUTT 40, PETONE 18 Upper Hutt Rams 40 (Sam Wasley, Hayden Schrijvers, Nua Fono-Hunt, Joyner Keys tries, Jordan Simpson-Heft 4 con, 4 pen) Petone 18 (James Bowen 2 tries, Sam McNicol con, Jared Kahu 2 pen). HT: 20-8.
Sin bin: Marcus Roil (Petone) Jamie Norman and Joyner Key (Rams) 45min.
Best and fairest: 3 points: Jordan Simpson-Heft (U Hutt fullback), 2 points: James Bowen (Petone flanker), 1 point: Josh Blackwell (U Hutt flanker). Venue: Maidstone Park. What happened: The Rams turned Petone’s mistakes into points, the home side’s first two tries coming directly from knockons. James Bowen gave the Villagers some hope with a try out wide from a lineout to close the half, as did an unfortunate incident after the break that saw two Rams players sinbinned.
But as Petone’s injury toll started to mount Upper Hutt took advantage. Nua Fono-Hunt scored his side’s third try before Bowen replied with his second. Upper Hutt gained a bonus point in the last minute when Joyner Key crossed in the corner, Jordan Simpson-Heft capped a near perfect kicking display with the conversion from the sideline.
Who stood out and why: Jordan Simpson-Heft impresed with sound defence and a towering punt that put Petone under pressure, while his goal-kicking contributed half his side’s points. Flanker Josh Blackwell was the best forward on the park, while Hayden Schrijvers and Fono-Hunt stood out in the backs. For Petone, Bowen and Sam McNicol both played well.
The upshot: The Rams will take confidence toward next week’s match with Pare-Plim, while Petone need to regroup and assess their injuries before hosting Norths.
What happened: HOBM did most of their damage during a 20-minute period in the middle of the first half when they ran in 20 unanswered points.
Hutt’s first try came after an excellent run from Opetera Peleseuma. The centre sliced through Norths’ backline and set up Fereti Soloa to cross the line untouched. Sheridan Rangihuna extended Hutt’s lead with two penalties, before Simon Malaeulu drove over from close to the line.
Then Hutt took control with Rangihuna’s tactical kicking keeping Norths pinned back. Norths’ backline looked capable, but were starved of possession.
Who stood out and
why: Peleseuma looked dangerous every time he touched the ball, breaking the line at will. He set up Soloa’s first try and another break led to Hutt’s second. Rangihuna had an impressive tactical kicking game, exploiting the conditions perfectly. Hutt’s reserve prop Rei Manaia made an impact off the bench with some crunching hits and strong running.
The upshot: Hutt remain undefeated, but won’t be unhappy they didn’t get a four-try bonus point. Norths need to reduce their error count.
What happened: Superior firepower up front and two classy plays by lock Vaea Fifita gave Wellington victory.
Fifita set up and scored Wellington’s only try of the first half with a burst from a ruck and exchange of passing with openside flanker Terry Soli, and later created the winning try with a burst from a lineout.
The Axemen dominated early, particularly at scrum time, and led 10-0 after 20 minutes. J’ville replied with a classy 50-metre try set up by Samoan halfback Jack Taulapapa who kicked ahead, regathered and sent his wing across the line.
Tongan prop Ha’amea Ahio dived over to put Johnsonville ahead with 15 minutes to play, but before Wellington hit back immediately and held on to fulltime.
Who stood out and why: Fifita’s class touches were the difference. Johnsonville’s Kane Le’aupepe was strong in the lineouts, and No. 8 Louis Karl industrious. Taulapapa had some nice touches, while opensides Soli and Corey Lawrence, as well as hookers, Tala Kitekei’aho, for Wellington, and Matt Mullany were good.
The upshot: Both teams face a step up next week, with Wellington hosting Tawa and Johnsonville playing Wainuiomata at Helston Park.
What happened: Wainui were bigger and better drilled. For the first 30 minutes Pare-Plim punched above their weight to keep the home team to one try. They lacked size across the park, but were tenacious and determined in defence led by openside Shane Hedges and No 8 Tane McMillan-Parata.
Wainui clicked into gear 10 minutes before the break with wing Tyler Tane scoring three quick tries.
In the second half, Wainui’s passes started to stick, and they ran away with the match. Wainui No. 8 Birnie Taulealo feasted on metres up the middle, and some slick play saw halfback Frae Wilson bag a brace.
Who stood out and why: Tane posed a threat any time he touched the ball, and scored 19 points to go with his haul of 26 last week. Taulealo produced some rampaging runs. McMillan-Parata never gave an inch and was impressive with the ball in hand.
The upshot: Wainui should be encouraged by how good they were when things started to click. Pare-Plim can take some positives from a courageous effort.
What happened: Avalon gained an upper hand in the first half as Bradbrook used his boot and the wind to pin MSP in the corner. Lock Ngas Haerewa, then wing Liddy Ah Wong, via a skillful Bradbrook chip over MSP’s rushing defence had Avalon on top. When it was MSP’s turn to use the wind the game turned. Avalon’s cause wasn’t helped by centre Maile Koloto being sin binned. MSP barely let Avalon out of their own half and had sewed things up with tries to wing Emmanuel Quintane and hooker Valentine Meachen.
Who stood out and why? For MSP O’Connor was a workhorse on defence and Fili’s tactical kicking and accurate passing were a feature including an offload to second five-eighth Isaia Petelo, while prop Solomon Tuiano was strong with ball in hand.
The upshot: MSP remains unbeaten, while Avalon are yet to post a win ahead of a tough match against Hutt Old Boys Marist.
What happened: James So’oialo’s boot was the difference with a perfect five-from-five display. Ories came storming out of the blocks with two early tries. Tawa slowly got themselves into the game and two So’oialo penalties kept them in touch at halftime.
Tawa started well in the second half with their big forwards making headway with ball in hand. Two quick tries had them in front after an hour and, despite a lopsided penalty count and dominant Ories scrum, the home team hung on, a last gasp So’oialo penalty padding the margin.
Who stood out: TJ Fermanis and Pati Gaualofa who gave them go forward and steel in defence. So’oialo was deadly with the boot. For Ories, Whetu Henry led a dominant scrum and lock Karl Dumelow was prominent.
The upshot: Tawa showed composure to come from behind. If they can keep their forwards fit they’ll be hard to beat. Ories weren’t far away from a win in this game. Their dominant scrum will be pleasing.
What happened: OBU outmuscled Poneke over the ball, won all of their set pieces, had more possession and more men on the park at the final whistle, but still lost. Poneke won because they made less mistakes and converted more kickable penalties.
OBU’s prop Johnathon Fuimaono led a dominant scrum and his pack will wonder how they only had one try, to halfback Luke Campbell for their efforts. Fuimaono’s subbing with 30 minutes to play changed the energy of the game. Poneke started winning their scrums, the backs started getting more ball and, despite Fuimaono’s return, held on.
Who stood out: Loose forwards Greg Foe, Christian Perese and Joseph Scheres. They were unrelenting and stoic. Campbell scored all of OBU’s points, and with a bit more polish on his pass has a lot of potential.
The upshot: Poneke need more polish when they host MSP next week. OBU take their bonus point to Miramar to play Ories.