JUBILEE CUP

HOBM 36 MSP 26 Hutt Old Boys Marist 36 (Glen Walters 2, Opetera Peleseuma tries; Glen Walters 3 con, 5 pen) Marist St Pat’s 26 (Cardiff Vaega, Aviata Silago, Isaac O’Connor tries; Fa’atonu Fili 3 pen, con). HT: 16-15.

3 points: Glen Walters (HOBM first five-eighth), 2 points: Isaac O’Connor (MSP openside flanker), 1 point: Jason Risdon (HOBM openside flanker).

Hutt Recreation Ground. What happened: Glen Walters amassed 31 points for HOBM, scoring two of his side’s three tries.

The home side had the breakdown battle won for much of the game and began to pull away in the second 40. Despite moments of brilliance from MSP’s Fa’atonu Fili and Cardiff Vaega, HOBM were deserved winners.

Who stood out: Nobody can argue with how valuable Walters is to HOBM. His haul was an impressive one under any circumstances. Both teams’ openside flankers went hammer and tongs all day. Fili showed glimpses of class but it wasn’t enough to stem the Walters flow.

The upshot: Both teams look primed for finals rugby in 2014. HOBM have been particularly impressive in the Jubilee Cup rounds after a poor Swindale Shield campaign. It could well be the year of the Eagle. Old Boys-University 26 (Penalty try, Jesse Johnson try; Greg Mullany 2 con, 4 pen) Tawa 23 (Taniela Koroi, Sam Tuala, Tolu Fahamokioa tries; James So’oialo con, 2 pen). HT: 10-10.

3 points: Jesse Johnson (OBU fullback), 2 points: Tolu Fahamokioa (Tawa prop), Greg Mullany (OBU second five-eighth)

Lyndhurst Park What happened: Two late penalties from an ice-cool Greg Mullany were enough to sneak Old Boys-University past an ill-disciplined Tawa.

In a tight first half, OBU’s forwards were impressive in standing up to the uncompromising Tawa pack. This effort was rewarded after 15 minutes when they were awarded a penalty try. Alfred Pelenise collared a try-bound Jesse John- son, earning a yellow card in the process. But Tawa then got into gear and prop Taniela Koroi showed a wing’s instinct to score on halftime and lock it up at 10-10. Tawa’s other prop, Tolu Fahamokioa, and OBU’s Johnson each scored runaway tries early in the second half but James So’oialo, returning from an injury layoff, slotted a penalty to put Tawa in front with 10 minutes to go. Then a moment of madness from Matt Treeby earned him a yellow card for