Wainui cling on to top spot in Jubilee Cup
Wainuiomata remain atop the Jubilee Cup table, surviving a late scare from Oriental-Rongotai to lead second-placed Hutt Old Boys Marist on points differential. HOBM underlined their own credentials by toppling Swindale Shield winners Marist St Pat’s, whil
stomping and Mullany’s penalty tied the scores from 40 metres. A further off-side penalty let Mullany goal from a tough angle and OBU withstood a furious lastminute assault on their goal line
Who stood out: Fullbacks Johnson (OBU) and Randall Bishop (Tawa) were dangerous on attack and good on defence. Johnson’s try-saving tackle on Joketani Koroi was crucial. Mullany showed composure under pressure. Koroi and Fahamokioa were strong ball carriers for Tawa.
Yellow cards: Alfred (Tawa), Matt Treeby (Tawa).
The upshot: OBU deserved their victory, showing discipline and composure when it counted. Tawa will rue their illdiscipline and, with key players So’oialo and Sam Blair back from injury for the second half, will feel this is one that got away.
Maidstone Park. What happened: Young Upper Hutt Rams lock Christian Lloyd returned to premier rugby after a two-year injury layoff with an impressive display as his newly formed club had their first ever Jubilee Cup victory.
The Rams started the match at pace, scoring two tries in the opening 10 minutes, after dominating possession and running aggressively at the Petone defence. Petone came back with a try to Mike Kainga from a well-worked lineout move.
Lloyd featured in the Rams third try, putting Joyner Key away for a touchdown in the corner.
Petone kept in touch with a Sam McNicol try and were starting to gain some parity until one of their best defensive players, Mateaki Kafatolu, was sinbinned for a high tackle.
Just prior to halftime, Tupeni Kamakorewa finished off a good attacking move for the Rams’ bonus-point fourth try.
The second half was a lot tighter with each team scoring a solitary try.
A feature of this match was the number of missed attempts at goal, with the teams successful with only one conversion each.
Who stood out: Christian Lloyd was outstanding in the Rams pack and got good support from Josh and Eli Hunt. Joyner Key ran strongly in the unfamiliar wing position while Ben Aoina went well against his old club. Prop Michael Kainga was the best of a Petone side which probably recorded its poorest performance of the season.
Yellow cards: Mateaki (Petone flanker)
The upshot: Both sides can still make the semifinals but have to win all their remaining games to do so – not an easy task in this tough competition.
Pelenise Upper Hutt Rams 27 (Jordan Simpson-Heft, Tupeni Kamakorewa, Ben Aoina, Sam Wasley, Josh Hunt tries; Liam Berry con) Petone 17 (Sam McNicol, Michael Kainga, Aleks Noble-Campbell tries; Carne Green con). HT: 22-12.
3 points: Christian Lloyd (Upper Hutt lock), 2 points: Josh Hunt (Upper Hutt flanker), 1 point: Michael Kainga (Petone prop).
Kafatolu Wainuiomata 23 (Teru Time 2, Tyler Tane tries; Josh Robertson-Weepu con, 2 pen) OrientalRongotai 20 (Pau Halafihi, Paulo Aukuso tries; Trevor Marama con, Hayden Whelan con, 2 pen). HT: 18-7.
3
points:
Teru
Time (Wainui centre), 2 points: Greg Lealofi (Wainui flanker), 1 point: Fiu Gibbons (Ories flanker)
William Jones Park. What happened: Wainui started strong, fullback Tyler Tane scoring in the third minute followed soon after by the first of two Josh Robertson-Weepu penalty kicks.
Wainui then attacked the Ories line through big runs from the all-Va’a front row: David, Attila and Justin, resulting in a converted try to centre Teru Time. Ories struck back soon after with a converted try to flanker Pau Halafihi, who benefited from a break by fellow loose forward Fiu Gibbons.
Teru Time’s second try was similar to his first, Wainui stringing a number of phases in attack inside the Ories 22, before Time broke through to give his team a 10-point lead. That didn’t last, though, as Ories’ substitute wing Tuga Matiua broke a number of tackles during a 50-metre run to put centre Paulo Aukuso away for a converted try.
Who stood out: Wainui’s midfield pairing of Teru Time and Marvin Karawana were again outstanding. Both sides’ loose forwards kept each other honest, with Greg Lealofi for Wainui and Fiu Gibbons for Ories the standouts.
Yellow card: Shahn Eru (Wainui flanker).
The upshot: Wainui maintain pole position, ahead of this week’s trip to Petone, while Ories will need to be at their best when they host HOBM.
Best and 3 points: Jackson Garden-Bachop (Norths second five-eighth), 2 points: Anthony Masina (Norths No 8), 1 point: Daniel Sione-Leota (Avalon No 8).
Fraser Park What happened: Overall the first half of Saturday’s match was a disjointed affair with both sides guilty of some illdisciplined play. A red card to Avalon lock Akuila Alatini did his side no favours.
Avalon would have been disappointed with their effort in the second half after trailing by just six points at halftime. Norths scored 40 unanswered points as Avalon’s backline defence fell apart.
Who stood out: Jackson GardenBachop was very good. No 8 Anthony Masina stood out in a strong Norths pack, while his opposite number Daniel Sione-Leota tried hard all afternoon for Avalon.
Yellow cards: Fala Tuala (Norths openside flanker), John Davidson (Avalon hooker).
Red card: lock).
Around the grounds: Norths’ win means they move into second on the table with Avalon now sitting third. Table-toppers Poneke thrashed Johnsonville 33-7, meaning the losers stay midtable.
Saturday’s bottom-of-the-table clash between Paremata-Plimmerton and Marist St Pat’s B saw the latter emerge victorious with a tight 33-28 victory. Wellington sit fourth after beating OBU B 24-12.
Alatini
(Avalon
Akuila