Jubilee Semis Review!

Defending champions Northern United and Petone will meet in next Sunday?s Jubilee Cup final at Westpac Stadium, after both sides enjoyed come-from-behind wins in their respective semi-finals. At Porirua Park Norths beat Upper Hutt 26-21 in a gripping, entertaining match, while Petone pipped Poneke 19-17 in stunning circumstances at the Petone Recreation Ground, with first five-eighth Earl Va?a kicking a sideline conversion to snatch victory with two minutes left on the clock.

The excitement didn?t end with Va?a?s conversion though, with prolific Poneke points-scoring fullback Brad Cooper then missing a penalty chance in injury time to re-take what had seemed a likely win for the red-and-blacks only minutes earlier. But it wasn?t to be, and Petone?s winning try to centre Timanu Martin, after left wing Alex Telea had made a burst from a tighthead scrum was received with rapturous applause from their supporters.

Earlier, the difference had been a try to Poneke left wing Shaun O?Connor soon after halftime. Va?a and Cooper traded four penalties each, with Poneke leading 9-3 at halftime and 14-3 after O?Connor?s try, before the Villagers launched their thrilling comeback.

It was less dramatic for Norths, who fought back from an 18-5 deficit early in the second half to out-muscle, out-gun and eventually out-score Upper Hutt and book their place in the final. It was an impressive performance from Norths, after two quick tries, one either side of halftime, had given Upper Hutt a handy lead. Norths won through their forwards, who produced a super-committed all round performance to peg back Upper Hutt and overtake them, particularly their front row, who overpowered their vaunted counterparts.

Upper Hutt had responded to an early try to Norths hooker Sio Thomas with two Ben Aoina penalties, before first five-eighth Aoina flew through an inside hole, and found Greg Tweddle unmarked on the left wing with a pass that was almost intercepted. Tweddle scored his eighth try of the season and Upper Hutt went to the break leading 11-5. Turning with the moderate breeze behind them the Swindale Shield champions then had their tails up again. Off the top of a midfield lineout, centre Brad Baker sliced through the Norths midfield and offloaded to second five-eighth Cory Aporo, who crossed for a converted try.

Norths had to score next and they responded through their forwards, who stepped up a gear and took the game to the visitors. A twenty-minute period hot on attack was eventually too much for Upper Hutt?s defence and hardworking prop Anthony Perenise eventually barged over. Second five-eighth Tamati Ellison converted and it was a 6-point game. They then took the lead with 15 minutes remaining through halfback Lua Vaoloaloa, after No. 8 Faifili Levave plucked a loose ball from a ruck inside the 22.

Then more pressure saw replacement flanker Anthony Masina score Norths? fourth and most popular try in the 72nd minute. Ellison added the conversion and with an 8-point cushion Norths only had to hang on. Aoina kicked a 76th minute penalty for Upper Hutt to make it 26-21, but, unlike Petone, no last minute heroics could steal victory. Steven White
Jubilee Cup top points scorers (after semi-finals):

Brad Cooper (Poneke) 218
Scott Leighton (Wests) 195
Sam Rasch (MSP) 166
Gene Johnston (Tawa) 101
Cory Aporo (Upper Hutt) 93
Cameron Cross (Avalon) 87
Ben Aoina (Upper Hutt) 98
Riki Flutey (Petone) 81
Rob Aloe (Norths) 71
Willie Lafaele (Tawa) 62
Peato Lafaele (Norths) 53
Steve McColl (Poneke) 51
Evan Belford (Poneke) 50
Fa'atonu Fili (MSP) 49
Earl Va'a (Petone) 47


Jubilee Cup top try scorers (after semi-finals):

Evan Belford (Poneke) 10
Junior Togia (Tawa) 9
Dan Stemp (MSP) 9
Willie Moala (Petone) 9
Siaosi Anamani (Norths) 8
Brad Baker (Upper Hutt) 8
Alex Telea (Petone) 8
Greg Tweddle (Upper Hutt) 8
Vila Apu?ula (Avalon) 7
Steve McColl (Poneke) 7
Cory Aporo (Upper Hutt) 7
Thomas Waldrom (Avalon) 6
T Umaga-Marshall (Petone) 6
Chris Puketapu (Upper Hutt) 6
S To'omaga (Norths) 6