Focus On Upper Hutt And Wests In Round Three

Upper Hutt and Western Suburbs clash at Ian Galloway Park in this week's feature Hardham Cup clash. After losing their opening round match to fellow Swindale Shield side Oriental-Rongotai, the pressure will be on Upper Hutt to beat Wests this week and also topple Johnsonville at Helston Park in round five. With surprise package Wainuiomata also in the mix, every game is important from now for the top teams. Wainuiomata, who beat Johnsonville last week only need to finish ahead of any of the existing premier teams to make the Swindale Shield in 2007.

Despite being overtaken by a late dropped goal in their 20-21 opening round loss to Ories, Upper Hutt turned in a much more polished performance than unbeaten Wests in last week's second round. Following on from their 27-26 first-up win over Johnsonville, Wests were less than convincing in beating Northern United 24-21 last week at Porirua Park. Upper Hutt meanwhile slayed Hutt Old Boys Marist 75-0, with their backs running in ten of their eleven tries scored. Leading 21-0 at halftime, Upper Hutt piled on more than a point a minute in the second half, with second five-eighth Ollie O'Leary and NZ Sevens centre Cory Jane slicing through for three tries each.

While HOBM were themselves under prepared for this clash with several players involved in their all-powerful Jubilee Cup side, this one sided victory will no doubt have Upper Hutt riding high when they enter Wests' infamous ‘Cage'. In contrast, Wests were almost tripped up by an explosive Vale Vale hat trick in their win over Norths. The replacement first five-eighth had already jinked his way through the Wests defence twice before a third weaving run to the tryline late in the second half secured him a hat trick and almost an upset for his side. Nevertheless, the Roosters are on a three-game winning streak and also won 5-3 when these teams met in the Swindale Shield round.

In other games Ories should grab their third win in a row when they play HOBM at the Hutt Recreation Ground, with a bonus point win also firmly on their minds. In the second of the early games Johnsonville play Norths at Porirua in what is a must win game for them. A third loss in succession would have alarm bells ringing amongst the Helston Park faithful as they contemplate possible relegation next year. Especially so if Wainuiomata earn their third win this week when they play Poneke at home at William Jones Park in the remaining fixture.

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