CRUNCH DAY
MSP and Tawa to clash for Jubilee Cup
Marist St Pats will be in pursuit of their 15th Jubilee Cup title, when they meet Tawa in Saturday’s final at Jerry Collins Stadium.
The Red Machine qualified courtesy of a comprehensive 24-3 win over Oriental-Rongotai and must be favourites to do similar in the decider. Tawa, Jubilee Cup winners just once before, stand in their way after prevailing 16-10 over Wainuiomata in the other semi.
Down in the Hardham Cup, top-qualifers Hutt Old Boys Marist thrashed Paremata-Plimmerton 43-6, before Petone prevailed 39-30 over Northern United in extra time after the teams had been level at 25-25 at the end of 80 minutes.
TAWA 16 WAINUI 10 Tawa 16 (Elijah Vaa Brooking try; Randall Bishop con, 3 pen) Wainuiomata 10 (Michael Lealava’a try; Matt Jacobs con, pen). HT: 13-10.
Best and fairest: 3 points: Peniasi Tokakece (Tawa No.8); 2 points: Attila Va’a (Wainui prop); 1 point: Sitiveni Paongo (Tawa prop).
Yellow cards: Matthew Treeby (Tawa), TJ Fermanis (Tawa). Venue: Lyndhurst Park. What happened: Wainuiomata were left ruing a crucial mistake that gifted Tawa their only try and a lead they would not relinquish in an intense semifinal.
Wainui struck early when second five-eighth Isaiah Mamea scored under the posts. Tawa spent most of the first half on the back foot as they were continuously penalised for being offside around the rucks, but Wainui failed to capitalise.
Tawa fullback Randall Bishop kicked two penalties to narrow the gap before Wainui flanker Matt Jacobs responded to open up a 10-6 advantage.
With halftime approaching a loose Wainui pass was gathered by Tawa’s replacement wing Elijah Vaa Brooking who raced 60 metres untouched to give Tawa a surprising 13-10 halftime lead.
Wainui attacked around the fringes in the second half and managed to get within striking distance a few times before Tawa repelled them.
Tawa added another penalty and held on as Wainui threw everything at them over the dying stages.
The big play: Tawa’s try against the run of play changed the complexion of the match.
Who stood out: Tawa No 8 Peniasi Tokakece stood up to Wainui’s powerful ball-runners and produced a number of crunching tackles. Prop Sitiveni Paongo worked hard in the tight exchanges and even made a couple of linebreaks. Wainui prop Attila Va’a demonstrated his impressive power and was part of an outstanding performance from their forwards. By JACOB BELESKI
MSP 24 ORIES 3 Marist St Pats 24 (Ryan Setefano 2, Matt Peni tries; Fa’atonu Fili 3 pen) Oriental-Rongotai 3 (Joey Mears pen). HT: 8-0.
Best and fairest: 3 points: Matt Peni (MSP No 8); 2 points: Nick Harrison (MSP lock); 1 point: Luke Taualupe (Ories No 8).
Yellow card: Hayden Whelan (Ories). Venue: Evans Bay Park. What happened: In difficult conditions, Marist St Pats got out to the better start but, as was the case for much of the game, the conditions proved difficult for the attacking side.
MSP eventually broke the deadlock after wing Ryan Setefano finished off a set play in fine style.
First five-eighth Fa’atonu Fili added another three points to MSP’s tally after Ories first fiveeighth Hayden Whelan was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes for a late tackle on MSP wing Mike Buckley, sending the hosts into the break up 8-0.
Ories were the first to score in the second 40 as goalkicking hooker Joey Mears slotted a closerange penalty goal. But that was all she wrote for the Magpies as MSP closed out the game in dominant fashion.
The big play: A big chance came about for Ories with the last play of the first half. Awarded a penalty 25 metres from MSP’s goalline, Ories made the decision to take a shot at goal to record their first points of the game.
However, the kick would go astray meaning MSP remained up 8-0 at half time, despite Ories having the wind advantage for the opening 40 minutes.
Who stood out: Almost the entire MSP squad deserves a mention in this section. While their backs barely put a foot wrong all day, the win was down to their forward pack. The scrum was dominant, the lineout was solid despite a strong crosswind and their defensive work was as strong as ever. Number 8 Matt Peni was bustling on attack and Nick Harrison dealt with the lineout ball well.
Ories were led by Peni’s opposite Luke Taualupe as he provided spark in the Magpies’ attack. Tutasi Masoe worked hard, especially on defence. By Matt Twort