Big Round Two Clash For In-Form OBU And Norths

This week's Jubilee Cup feature game between Old Boys-University and Northern United at Porirua Park sees two of the form teams go head to head. In a repeat of four weeks ago when these sides last met, this encounter shapes as a potentially explosive match up between two hard working forward packs and equally dynamic backlines. OBU got up to beat Norths 27-21 in the wet in round nine of the Swindale Shield and a repeat performance would set up a hugely exciting run to the playoffs in August.

Both sides come off convincing first round wins, securing maximum points and an initial jump on the field. OBU's backs turned in a majestic first half performance to shut out Tawa 24-5, with three wonderfully constructed tries, and Norths were outstanding in beating Avalon 48-15 in yet another head turning procession of dominance. Norths have now scored 16 tries and conceded just four in their previous three outings, including a 47-0 result over Tawa two weeks ago to secure the Swindale Shield.

The students were the last side to stop them though, and with six wins and a draw in their previous seven games they will certainly have the confidence to do it again.
Look out for several key clashes in the forwards, with the battle at lineout time and around the fringes likely to influence the outcome. The respective inside back combinations are also sure to feature. Norths' likely halfback Lua Vaoloaloa and first five-eighth Rob Aloe are the outstanding nine-ten combination in the competition, but OBU halfback Adam Fleming has also scored six tries this year and Tomasi Palu's switch out to the number ten jersey has been a catalyst in OBU's success.

The other first round winners Hutt Old Boys Marist will be eager to maintain their winning formula when they tackle Marist St. Pats at Evans Bay Park. However the first round result between these two teams will still be fresh in the minds of MSP's supporters. HOBM won that round four meeting 29-28 courtesy of a last-gasp penalty to fullback Mike Kingsbeer, after a hat trick of tries to MSP's joint leading try scorer Julian Tupai had seen the scarlets leading 28-26 with moments remaining.

Petone and Poneke resume their longstanding rivalry at Kilbirnie Park, where both will be desperate for a win. Despite the midfield injection of Tana Umaga, Petone could only draw their first game with MSP, while an injury hit Poneke went down to HOBM. In the same boat are first round losers Tawa and Avalon, who play in the other game at Lyndhurst Park, with Tawa breaking a three game 40-point losing streak to Avalon when they won 25-12 last month.