Ories not underestimating OBU in Victoria Tavern Trophy final

Tia Paasi Memorial / Izzy Ford | 03 August 2017 | Steven White

On form throughout 2017, it will take a special effort for Old Boys University to beat Oriental-Rongotai in Saturday’s Wellington women’s club rugby Division 1 final at the Petone Recreation Ground.

In last weekend’s semi-final against Northern United, OBU hung in there throughout the entire match, pouncing at the very end to win and earn their spot in the final. They will go into Saturday’s decider wearing the underdog tag and will be dangerous.

But if top qualifier Ories needs the motivation to win this title, it comes from the last two consecutive Victoria Tavern Trophy season deciders that they have lost. In fact, this will be their fifth consecutive final, but they have won just one of their previous four. That was in 2014 when they beat Norths 32-24 and lock (now at No. 8) Joanah Ngan-Woo scored two tries. In 2015 Norths re-captured the title with a 24-22 win, while last year Ories missed out 12-24 to Wainuiomata in the season finale.

Ories are coming off a 38-5 semi-final win over Marist St Pat’s. Despite the score, captain and prop Raylene Lolo said this was a tough match.

“The Semi-final against MSP was the fiercest game we’ve had against them all year,” said Raylene. “We’ve played them three times now and regardless of the result, they really gave it to us this time. The score didn’t truly reflect the game.”

“The O-sisters are always excited to make it as far as we have. To us, our approach is it’s just another game. We want to focus on the task at hand to ensure the job is done properly.”

Raylene said that Ories will be looking to their engine room to topple OBU. “We have some obvious strengths throughout the squad. Our forward pack place a huge emphasis in the set-pieces and our backs execute in certain aspects of the game. There’s been a huge focus on fundamental skills to make sure execution is still accurate under pressure and fatigue.”

As evidenced in OBU’s last-gasp semi-final win, Ories will have to be on-song all match. “OBU have always been one of the smallest sized packs, but the fittest in the Women’s competition. They don’t give up.”

“We always look forward to being challenged in all areas of the game, fitness being a huge one. It’s going to take a lot of digging to contain them, right through the full 80.”

The Ories women’s side is the only team from Miramar – and indeed the eastern suburbs - involved in this Saturday’s final day, so they should be well supported. “Our families and community have always been amazing! We have club members of all ages continuing to show us their endless support on the sideline each week. I believe most of our supporters will be at our game this coming weekend, no doubt.”

OBU captain and openside flanker Gina Williamson said that Saturday will be a special day for her Impalas team.

“It’s been a long time since OBU featured in the women’s final, and our club is represented in four finals on Saturday. We have no doubt our supporters will be out in force and we love to give them a game to enjoy and a result to be proud of. They really do lift us and we are so appreciative of the messages of support we’ve been receiving ahead of the weekend.”

Gina says that the Impalas are up for the challenge. “The strength of OBU comes from the attitude and commitment on the field; every game the girls show immense heart. That was on show last weekend and will be key to our performance this Saturday also.”

“Ories have a powerful forward back and a dynamic set of backs, with some fairly well established player combinations throughout the squad. We’ll be focusing on a strong and responsive defensive game.”

For Ories, wing Ayesha Leti-I’iga is chasing the club record for most tries scored in a season. The record is 25 tries, set by Jane Bryce (now playing for MSP) in 2014. Ayesha is currently on 23 tries.

Six Ories players will have played every game this year (final included): Barbra Taumoli, Janet Taumoli, Reijeli Uluinayau, Fa’asua Makisi, Petra Ikenasio and Helena Lawrence.

Ories have gone through the season without conceding a bonus point and scored maximum points in every game. Ories have scored 319 points and conceded 71 in second round regular season matches, while OBU won three and lost five and scored 142 points and let in 274.

Head-to-head, Ories beat OBU 71-3 in their first round Fleurs Trophy meeting, with Leti-I’iga scoring five tries. In their two second round fixtures, Ories beat OBU 35-5 (Leti-I’iga three tries) and 62-10 (Leti-I’iga two, fullback Timena Tumaai four tries).

At the same kick-off time of 12.00pm the Women’s Division 2 final kicks off on Petone Rec 4. Home team Petone takes on Paremata-Plimmerton.

Petone are unbeaten in the second round, with eight straight wins in the championship competition. They have a handful of players in their squad that won the Division 1 title with Wainuiomata last year and are coming off a 53-20 semi-final win over Hutt Old Boys Marist. Paremata-Plimmerton is a new team this year and they beat Poneke 12-10 in their semi-final.