Hungry Norths Make Petone Pay For Mistakes

Northern United dined out on an error-ridden Petone side to book their place in the Jubilee Cup playoffs in the penultimate round robin set of matches. Poneke were equally impressive in their hammering of mid-season high-flyers Tawa, while Avalon enjoyed a predictable win over Hutt Old Boys Marist. Marist St. Pats were the shock losers of round six, going down to lowly Old Boys-University.

Going into next week?s last round, both Poneke and Norths are assured of play-off berths, with both likely to gain home ground advantage. Joining them in the semis will be Avalon, while Petone and Marist St. Pats will both be looking for bonus point wins against Tawa and HOBM respectively to secure the fourth spot. Tawa still have a slim chance, however HOBM and OBU will only have pride to play for next week.

The Club Weekly was at the Petone Recreation Ground this week, where Norths took full toll on an out-of -sorts Petone side in a second half rout that will have made the remaining cup contenders sit up and take notice. Norths were in vintage form for a 25-minute period in the second spell, when they blitzed the Villagers with four terrific tries to render the contest null and void.

Earlier, Petone had dominated the first half - in territory at least - but they constantly made simple mistakes, which negated all their efforts. Given this flood of field position, Petone would have scored several tries on another day, and only had themselves to blame for not capitalising. Norths, for their part, hung in there, and it seemed only a matter of time before they got the opportunity themselves to cut loose. They did just that in the 25th minute when a rampaging counterattack from inside their 22 resulted in a try to No.8 Faifili Levave. But, soon after, a shortside pass from a Norths scrum on halfway was intercepted by Petone wing Sone Iopu and he scampered through to score the equaliser.

The half time score of 5-5 soon became 17-5 to the visitors though, with tries to openside Tui Meavao and wing Siaosi Anamani. When they scored again in the 65th minute and the 70th minute through lock Tim Faleafaga and replacement centre Junior So?o it was all over. So?o?s try was a piece of individual brilliance as he cut a swathe through the defence in a 45 metre run to the line. To their credit, Petone never gave up and replacement fullback Tumaile Tasola scored a good consolation team try.

In other games, OBU made MSP?s semi-final hopes a whole lot harder by edging out the multiple champions in a thriller. Buoyed by the return of playmakers, centre Conrad Smith and first five Jimmy Gopperth, the students rallied to come out on top after scores had been locked at 10-10 at halftime. Poneke and Avalon made light work of their opponents though. Poneke scored six unanswered tries to all but end Tawa?s title aspirations and Avalon had no problems dispatching HOBM in their local derby.