MSP Upset Norths As Traditional Heavyweights Emerge From The Pack

Poneke continue their ominous purple patch to outlast Old Boys-University 16-7 at Kilbirnie Park.

It was a day for the traditional big guns in the Jubilee Cup, with Marist St. Pats, Poneke and Petone all coming to the fore with significant wins in fourth round action to set up a real dogfight over the remaining three rounds in the race to the playoffs.

Most momentous was MSP's hugely needed 17-10 upset victory over previously unbeaten Northern United, while Poneke continued their ominous purple patch to outlast Old Boys-University 16-7 at Kilbirnie Park. Some promising play from Petone paved the way for their convincing 29-5 bonus point win over Tawa at the Petone Recreation ground. Elsewhere Hutt Old Boys Marist shut out Avalon 17-6 in their match at the Hutt Recreation Ground. The end result from the round sees Norths still heading the points table, but a heady tussle is fast developing below Norths, with only Tawa out of semi-final contention.

Poneke's win against OBU sees them move into second place and pushes the students out of the top four for the first time. Poneke's win was based around pressure and perseverance, as they dominated both territory and possession for much of the game, but faced a determined opposition who refused to give up their 7-6 lead until late in the second half. OBU second five-eighth Seminar Manu scored in the first half from his own chip and chase, before Poneke came back with two Brad Cooper penalties and a late converted try to win, with their forwards and strong reserves bench again proving valuable.

It was an equally tense battle between HOBM and Avalon, with HOBM also only making the game safe with a late converted try. After leading 7-6 at halftime playing into a strong wind, HOBM could only add a Mike Kingsbeer penalty throughout most of the second in the face of a committed Avalon side. But Kingsbeer's try from a turnover out wide gave him his 150th point of the season and his side a brave win and the perfect send off to promising left wing Michael Pehi, who leaves the Eagles for a stint in Ireland this week.

At Evans Bay Park, MSP were more desperate than frontrunners Norths. Needing to win to stay in contention, MSP dug deep and scored an early converted try, before then securing a 12-point lead in the second half to see Norths off, whose powerful attacking game was also hindered by the heavy underfoot conditions. Nevertheless a late try gave them an important bonus point as they return home next week to host Poneke. MSP first five-eighth Fa'atonu Fili also brought up his 100th point of the season in this game, as did Avalon halfback Peter Sciascia against HOBM, with seven premier players now over the century mark of points scored.

Three months ago Tawa produced their best result of the season when they ran in eight tries to two to humble the defending Cup champions Petone 46-21. Several roller coaster results followed, including a solid win over MSP and an unlucky last-gasp loss to HOBM. They also lost playmaker and captain Willie Lafaele in their 25-12 Swindale win over Avalon, who is still on the injured list with a troublesome knee.

The boot was on the other foot in this week's feature match as Lafaele was forced to watch from the sidelines as Tawa were well beaten by a much more focused Petone team in this week's Club Weekly feature match.

Notably it was the boot of first five-eighth Sam Rasch and the play of comeback terrier Ben Herring, that made the difference. With Rasch's superior kicking and distribution game guiding Petone's newly invigorated backline and Herring influencing the battle in the loose. Also telling were Petone's well-organised forwards, with their big men who dominated the lineouts and consistently got back in numbers to secure them possession. But it was the storming Ben Herring, playing at No. 8, who signalled that he is well and truly over the injury that sidelined him for almost a year. Herring led the charge, constantly hounding Tawa behind their advantage line and tidying up plenty of loose ball.

In contrast, it was an error-ridden performance for Tawa, where they found themselves relying too heavily on individuals rather than teamwork to create opportunities - in a game where both sides bombed several clear scoring chances.

With the gusty Northwesterly at their backs Rasch helped Petone on to the front foot by testing Tawa's backs under the high ball, a ploy that met with success when fullback Simeon James pounced on a Tawa fumble and scored near the posts for the first try. A Rasch penalty was then followed by a scorching midfield injection from right wing Willie Moala to give centre Andrew Roberts their second try and a 17-0 lead on 25 minutes.

Missed chances by both sides characterised the next period of play. Tawa should have replied when first they squandered a clear overlap out wide by cutting infield, then through halfback Nigel Hunt, who skipped through a ruck near the line, only to knock the ball over the line in nonchalantly dotting down. Petone closed out the first half with two near misses, with Roberts cut down just short, then hooker Eugene Smith dived at the line shortside from a lineout play, which appeared successful from afar. Next a missed penalty in front of the sticks immediately after the break by Tawa signalled it wasn't their day.

Tawa, still had their chances to mount a comeback with the wind behind them in the second half, but their lineout had failed them all day and their attack was disjointed. They finally managed to score on 60 minutes, through a broken field counter attack, with left wing Junior Togia completing the movement. But Petone firmly tipped the result in their favour when left wing Greg Walker seized his chance with the corner ahead, backing himself on the outside and outpacing Tawa's cover defence for a great individual try. A bonus point try on fulltime to industrious halfback Cam Incledon then sealed a deserved win for the Villagers.