Fresh Challenge For Old Boys-University In Hardham Cup Round

Look out for a change of fortune for Old Boys-University in the Hardham Cup. OBU have had a tough time so far this year. The students finished last and failed to win a game in the just completed Swindale Shield.

But given some luck they could have won at least four of their games and their season wouldn?t be such disappointing reading. After early losses to Oriental-Rongotai and Northern United, OBU played and lost five tight games in succession. They let a 14-man Johnsonville off the hook (10-14), ran Avalon close (17-27), blew a 20-point lead against Tawa (20-22), let themselves down with a poor performance against Hutt Old Boys Marist (21-29) and pushed Western Suburbs close (9-19).

Despite losing their way in the latter half of the Shield competition against Marist St. Pats, Petone, Upper Hutt and Poneke respectively, OBU will be afforded more freedom to play their brand of attractive, free flowing rugby in the Hardham Cup and they have every chance to turn their season around. They have several exciting players in their ranks such as No. 8 Mike Te Moana, hooker Daryl Gore, flanker James Oliver and first five-eighth Patrick Maguire. There?s also a good chance they will have their representative players back in varying capacities in the weeks ahead. These include Jimmy Gopperth, Shannon Paku, Ross Kennedy, Luke Andrews and Seminar Manu.

Joining OBU in the Hardham Cup from the Swindale Shield will be Johnsonville, HOBM and Ories. Johnsonville are strong contenders. They are often caught between playing a structured style and an expansive one and if they can strike a balance between the two they will be hard to beat. HOBM and Ories will need to find more consistency in their play if they want to win. Harper Lock Shield champions MSP B, Norths B, Petone B and Poneke B will join the four premier sides in the Hardham Cup.

The feature match in round one sees HOBM host Johnsonville at the Hutt Recreation Ground, where HOBM will be looking to reverse their narrow 18-17 loss when these two sides met in round two of the Swindale Shield. Elsewhere Oriental Rongotai take on Norths at Porirua Park, OBU tackles MSP and Poneke and Petone clash at the Petone Recreation Ground.