Old Boys-University, Tawa Big Round Four Winners

In a round full of surprises, Old Boys-University and Tawa both set the Swindale alight with unexpected big wins over more fancied opposition. OBU and Tawa were the giant killers in a remarkable pair of round four results, both sweeping past their opposition with disdain, OBU for their first win in almost two years, Tawa against defending Jubilee Cup champions Petone.

OBU ended their 19-game Swindale Shield losing streak in style by thrashing Western Suburbs 52-17 at Ian Galloway Park and consigning Wests to their previously occupied wooden spoon position on the points table. In a remarkable form reversal it was one-way traffic for the students, who led 20-0 after half an hour and 42-5 at one stage midway through the second half.

Tawa's dangerous backline is known to flick their lights on to full beam every so often and run rings around their opposition. Other teams are always wary of it, and their fans are often frustrated at the lack of it. At Lyndhurst Park something stirred and they cut Petone to shreds for an eight tries to two hiding. Tawa were fast out of the blocks, scoring five unanswered tries in the first half, one sublime long-range effort starting from their goal line, and the best a shell-shocked Petone could do was hang on in the second 40 minutes of play.

Meanwhile, competition leaders Northern United and Hutt Old Boys Marist maintained their unbeaten runs at the top of the table. It was business as usual for Norths, who ran through Oriental-Rongotai 38-13 at Porirua Park. This was their third bonus point win and they lead HOBM on the log by one point.

HOBM's remarkable run continued as they confirmed their title credentials with a gutsy 29-28 victory over Marist St. Pats at the Hutt Recreation Ground. HOBM's one point victory was achieved with a last minute penalty to fullback Mike Kingsbeer, his fifth of the day, after HOBM had trailed for most of the match. MSP right wing Julian Tupai scored a hat trick before halftime, but the home side hung in and collected the four competition points.

Elsewhere, Avalon manoeuvred into contention with a comfortable 31-16 win over Upper Hutt at Fraser Park, leading from start to finish and outscoring Upper Hutt four tries to one.

This week's feature game at Helston Park was considerably closer, both on the scoreboard and in the run of play, with Poneke slugging out an unremarkable 21-17 victory over Johnsonville. In an evenly matched contest, it was ultimately superior goal kicking from first five-eighth Brad Cooper that won the day for Poneke. Despite Johnsonville outscoring the red-and-blacks three tries to two, Cooper's four successful attempts at goal from five attempts proved enough, while Johnsonville right wing Willie Barber kicked one conversion from four attempts.

A facet was the determined contest by both sides at the break down and at ruck time. Both teams rallied hard for an advantage at the loose ball, with Johnsonville looking to keep it tight and to close down Poneke's threat out wide, which included Hurricanes midfielder Tane Tu'ipulotu at centre and their try scoring nemesis, Evan Belford on the wing.

The result was an increasingly scrappy spectacle, between two hard working packs. In particular the battle between the loose forwards was a keen one. For Johnsonville, blindside flanker Shannon Christie impressed with his high work rate, while Poneke's openside flanker Masefau Leuluniu and No. 8 Neil Meyer were constantly to the fore for their side.

Carrying on from a list of honest loose forward toilers to have worn the Poneke jersey in recent seasons, such as Nili Latu, Peter Savelio, Shane Cottrell, Iva Motusaga and Adam Holloway, the pair's work-rate was outstanding. Meyer is a robust No. 8, while Leuluniu is a strong ball running number seven.

Poneke trailed for much of the match, gaining victory in the final quarter with two Cooper penalties. Securing a second half territorial advantage, these points and an earlier try to prop Kwain Anelua, himself a former Johnsonville No. 8, proved enough in a game that had reached its peak midway through the first half.

Johnsonville crossed for two tries in the 7th and 12th minutes of play and led 12-3. Veteran prop Bill Cavubati peeled off a maul and trucked 15 metres for the opening try near the posts. Then captain and lock Nick Cooper was rewarded for opting for a lineout from a penalty where he was driven over for the second.

Poneke pressed hard on attack for the next period of play, and finally numbers out wide gave fullback Tevita Latu their first try, running off the shoulder of Belford. The conversion made it 12-10, before the fortuitous bounce of the ball enabled Johnsonville to pull ahead once more. A stab kick in midfield by first five-eighth Rick Whatarau sat up for centre Andre Taurerewa to run on to and find second five-eighth Nathan Collins in support for a clear run to the line.

This was Johnsonville's last score of the game, as Poneke scored 11 further points to win. It wasn't convincing though, and if Johnsonville can keep improving they have a great show of making the Jubilee Cup this year.

By Steven White