Norths, Upper Hutt And Johnsonville Remain Unbeaten

Round 3 Review Northern United, Upper Hutt and Johnsonville are the unbeaten teams after three rounds of the Swindale Shield. The three leaders are separated by just two bonus points at the top of the table. Norths and Upper Hutt overpowered Marist St. Pats and Poneke respectively, while Johnsonville scraped past Old Boys-University. Petone beat Oriental-Rongotai in a must-win encounter for the Villagers, while Avalon were too strong for Hutt Old Boys Marist and a fast-finishing Wests toppled Tawa.

Northern United?s swift counterattacking and aggressive close quarter defence proved too much for MSP in their top of the table feature clash at Rugby League Park.

Norths fed off MSP?s untidy execution and poor discipline and dominated for large periods in the first half, but failed to capitalise. They made hard work of putting points on the board. MSP handed them three early penalties in very favourable kicking positions, but left wing Peato Lafaele failed to oblige with his boot. First five-eighth Rob Aloe took over from Lafaele and finally opened the scoring in the 20th minute. MSP first five-eighth Fa?atonu Fili then evened it straight back up, before Aloe made it 6-3 on the half hour mark.

Norths finally broke the shackles in the 36th minute with a barging try to prop Petelo Tupua. Norths were camped in the corner and Tupua broke free from a ruck off an attacking lineout. Aloe converted and Norths led 13-3 at halftime.

Lafaele scored the game?s decisive try seven minutes into the second half. Halfback Lua Vaoloaloa quickly took a tap penalty 45 metres out, linked up with blindside flanker Jacob Ellison, centre Patolo Patelesio and Lafaele, who crossed out wide. This put Norths ahead 18-3 and MSP needed to score next. MSP tried their hardest to cross the line, but couldn?t penetrate the steadfast Norths defence, even after Norths were reduced to 14 men when Ellison was sinbinned for collapsing a maul.

All MSP could manage was a second Fili penalty in the 61st minute and Norths secured the win. Despite a lack of scoring, this was an entertaining game, with both sides prepared to move the ball at every opportunity. Halfback Vaoloaloa and openside flanker Serge Lilo had strong games for Norths, while hooker Ged Robinson and second five-eighth Joe Wright impressed for MSP.

Elsewhere, it was Old Timer?s Day at Upper Hutt and the home team impressed again in its hard fought win over Poneke. Both forwards engaged in a tight tussle throughout, but Upper Hutt fullback Cory Jane helped to orchestrate two counterattacking tries early in the second half, which proved the difference. Johnsonville once again showed plenty of determination to beat OBU. Trailing 10-0 in the first half, and playing with 14-men, with centre Ritchie Henderson sent from the field, Johnsonville came back with two converted tries to take victory.

Wests waited until the final minutes to hit top gear against Tawa. Tawa led 21-13 with seven minutes remaining before Wests launched a spectacular two-try comeback to stun Tawa and leave them winless. Meanwhile Avalon and Petone had comfortable wins.

Swindale Shield Top Points Scorers (after three rounds):

39 Riki Flutey(Petone)
36 Fa?atonu Fili(MSP)
35 Scott Leighton(Wests)
34 Cory Aporo(Upper Hutt)
33 Peato Lafaele(Norths)
33 Cameron Cross(Avalon)
28 Rob Aloe(Norths)
22 Corey Burt(Jville)
22 Gene Johnston(Tawa)
19 Brad Baker(Poneke)
17 Jonathon Bentley(HOBM)
17 Patrick Maguire(OBU)

Swindale Shield Top Try Scorers (after three rounds):

3 Roy Kinikinilau(Ories)
3 Willie Moala(Petone)
3 Peato Lafaele(Norths)
3 Shaun O?Connor(Poneke)
3 Misiluni Moananu(Poneke)
2 Rob Aloe(Norths)
2 Fraser Tane(Upper Hutt)
2 JP Tocker(MSP)
2 Hirini Robin(Tawa)
2 Sene Ta?ala(Jville)
2 Nick Risdon(HOBM)
2 Clinton Whiu(Petone)

Nine other players with two tries.