Poneke Qualifies First, Petone Clinches Remaining Spot

Defending Jubilee Cup champions Petone got up to qualify third for next week's semi-finals with a tight-five inspired 23-16 win over Old-Boys University in their round seven elimination showdown at the Prime Finance Basin Reserve. Petone will meet second placed qualifier Northern United at Porirua Park in the playoffs, after Norths beat Hutt Old Boys Marist 22-10 in their match at the Hutt Recreation Ground. Poneke won the Andy Leslie Trophy for winning the round-robin with a crushing 50-18 win against luckless Tawa at Kilbirnie Park and will return to the same venue to host HOBM in the other semi-final.

In the remaining match at Evans Bay Park it was Avalon who needed to win against Marist St. Pats to have any chance of qualifying, but their hopes were set back early when they trailed 14-0, before eventually losing 28-22. Despite winning the second half, it was three converted tries before halftime for MSP that sunk Avalon and saw MSP end their season on a high note.

It was a tight struggle between Norths and HOBM, with Norths coming from behind to win. Norths struck early with a five-pointer, before HOBM added to a penalty with a converted try on halftime to lead 10-5 at the break. But a two-try turnaround soon put Norths ahead and they held on well. Norths captain and prop Anthony Perenise rumbled over for two of his side's four tries.

For Poneke it was more of a procession of dominance, as the red-and-blacks again flexed their muscles to comfortably beat Tawa. Poneke had the game won by halftime when they led 33-3, and scored two more in the second 40 minutes for a seven try spread, all scored by different players. All three loose forwards crossed the line, through blindside Haimona Waititi, openside Masefau Leuluniu and No. 8 Neil Meyer, while first five-eighth Brad Cooper kicked six conversions and a penalty for 21 points.

In this week's Club Rugby feature match it was Petone tight-forward superiority that won the day over the slick back play of Old Boys-University in a hard fought and highly entertaining virtual quarter final at the Basin.

In a close game, it was Petone's ever-increasing dominance up-front that was the telling factor, as their big men turned around a poor start and an early deficit to overpower OBU with an impressive into-the-wind second half display.

Petone's scrum was dominant from the outset, their lineout worked well and their driving play was outstanding, which led to all three of their tries. For OBU, it was a desperately unlucky loss for them after they made much of the running through their dangerous backs, who had a clear edge over Petone's. It also included All Blacks centre Conrad Smith who announced his return to full fitness with a strong defensive game and some creative touches with ball in hand. But the students, who also lost playmaking second five-eighth and goalkicker Seminar Manu in the first half to a nasty head clash, had only themselves to blame.  Missing several clear scoring opportunities both just before and after halftime, allowing Petone to seize the initiative through their front five.

OBU looked likely in the opening 20 minutes as they took a well-deserved 11-3 lead through two penalties and a sparkling try to first five-eighth Tomasi Palu. Playing into the gusty norwester, OBU played the game at speed and had Petone stretched out wide. Deferring an up-front battle, they also frustrated the Villagers into making mistakes. Palu's try came from second phase off an attacking lineout after halfback Adam Fleming and Smith had split the defence. From the ruck Palu darted through to score to the right of the posts.

But Petone slowly won some much needed field position, with first five-eighth Sam Rasch testing the impressive skills and positional play of OBU fullback Tim Wells with a series of midfield up-and-unders. They were finally able to exert pressure on OBU and following a long injury break with Manu being attended to, Rasch kicked a penalty to close the score to 11-6, before blindside Jim Morgan crashed over from an ominous looking lineout drive. Rasch converted from the sideline giving Petone a 13-11 lead.

OBU resumed their fast paced attack before halftime and should have scored again before the break, but a desperate Petone kept them out, particularly in the midfield through Andrew Roberts and Simeon James, and through openside Sam Flintoff who was having another tigerish game. OBU's attacking woes continued after the break, with replacement first five-eighth Steve McColl missing two penalty shots at goal and the team missing at least two try scoring chances, all inside 15 minutes of the second half. Wings Sheldon Goodin and Danny Shaw were just cut down short in the same movement, then No. 8 Mike Te Moana was held up over the line, before lock Sam Green dropped the ball with the line beckoning.

Petone then lifted their tempo, keeping their play tight and organised to drive No. 8 James Saolele over to score under the posts. Rasch's conversion was charged down, but Petone led 18-11 with 15 minutes to play. However OBU hit back almost immediately to close it up again to 18-16 thanks to some individual brilliance by Smith and great support play by openside James Oliver and replacement blindside Mike Scott. Smith made an outside break and linked up infield with Oliver, who found Scott for the try. But it was short lived, with Petone clinching victory with a try to hooker Eugene Smith, who scored off a lineout drive to the delight of his teammates.

Despite the loss, OBU can reflect on a superb season, after turning the flagging fortunes around midway through the Swindale Shield round, while Petone will now be focusing on making their second final in a row in a fortnight's time.