Hutt Old Boys Marist Make It Four From Four

2003 wooden-spooners Hutt Old Boys Marist sit alone at the top of the Swindale Shield table after a scrambling victory over Petone. After four rounds of the competition the Hutt Valley team remains the only unbeaten side.

HOBM?s unlikely position comes courtesy of Marist St. Pats, who stopped the Poneke juggernaut in its tracks, toppling their Kilbirnie rivals in a hard-nosed committed display. Elsewhere Avalon edged past Upper Hutt to secure second spot on the table, Old Boys- University were unconvincing winners over Oriental?Rongotai, Northern United accounted for Tawa and Western Suburbs kept Johnsonville firmly at the foot of the ladder.

It couldn?t be said that HOBM?s win over Petone at the Petone Recreation Ground was altogether convincing. In fact this week?s feature match was characterised by a litany of mistakes and infringements by both teams, especially at the breakdowns, and a complete absence of continuity from Petone throughout. Despite this, HOBM overcame an 11-3 first half penalty count against them and entertained the spirited crowd to the tune of three unanswered tries before halftime.

First five Leone Tumua strolled through a hole in the Petone defence after a strong build-up, followed soon after by a try to popular blindside Polonga Pedro after a Petone blunder in the midfield. Right on the 40th minute halfback Nick Risdon charged down a clearing kick to dot down in the corner.

A more urgent Petone in the second spell mounted a comeback that briefly sent flutters through the HOBM faithful, but HOBM?s organised and often bruising defence won the day in the end. Petone tries in the 50th and 60th minutes to right wing Willie Moala and to halfback Cam Incledon narrowed the score to 10-17. Incledon?s try was well taken. He skirted around the short side of an attacking scrum in a great individual effort. HOBM replied straight after with their fourth try, driving hooker Luke Gibb over the line. But the Villagers weren?t done yet. In a rare breakout, centre August Collins sliced through the line and fed Moala who scored his double to again narrow up the scores.

HOBM can thank their two stalwarts, lock Doug Power and openside Martin Wallis, who steadied the ship and allowed Pedro to seal it with a last-gasp try in the corner. Another team who had the help of a wise old head was MSP, who enlisted the services of assistant coach Trent Eagle to shore up their midfield. His influence, along with the boot of first five Sam Rasch, helped MSP crush Poneke in the surprise result of the round. Meanwhile, Avalon continued their good form with a come from behind win over Upper Hutt; Norths got their season back on track against Tawa; Ories ran OBU close; while Johnsonville continued to struggle after their latest loss to Wests.