Marist St. Pat?s Set For 2007 Resurgence

A much-anticipated 2007 Premier rugby season kicks off on Saturday with the first round of Swindale Shield matches, all at the earlier time of 2.30 pm. Another action packed competition is expected, following an extraordinary 2006 Club season remembered for its appalling weather off the field and its high-drama on it.

In a remarkable finish to the 2006 Jubilee Cup, five teams were left chasing three playoff spots in the last round. The Hardham Cup was even closer, Western Suburbs, Upper Hutt, Oriental-Rongotai and Johnsonville all in danger of relegation right up to the final whistle of regular season play.

The end result was Northern United winning their second Jubilee Cup in three years, after taking out the Swindale Shield earlier in the season, and newcomers Wainuiomata earning premier status for 2007 at the expense of Johnsonville.

One club not involved in any of this drama was Marist St. Pat’s, who finished 6th in the Swindale Shield and 7th in the Jubilee Cup, their third season in a row outside the playoffs. A comparative drought for the club that has won 11 Cup titles since their inception in 1971, including six in nine years from 1994-2002, and featured in the top four eight years on the trot until 2004.

With a healthy mix of emerging and experienced players in their squad there could be a Scarlet resurgence in 2007. Third year coach Brendan Reidy oversees a side containing such players as NZ U19 captain Victor Vito, NZ U21 prop Arden David, Taranaki first five-eighth Miah Nikora (formerly of Ories), Wellington B players Ged Robinson (hooker), Dan Scanlon and Craig Simeon (flankers), and Wellington age group reps Nick Passi and Teofilo Paulo (locks) and Ryan Kuggeleijn (flanker).

First up, MSP meet rivals Poneke at Evans Bay Park, whom they haven’t lost to for at least six years in the Swindale Shield. They won this match 30-21 last year, and 35-21 in 2005, also in round one. Poneke holds the upper hand in their Jubilee Cup rivalry, winning four times in a row since the 2003 Cup final.

Further interest in the first round will centre on champions Norths hosting Petone in a rematch of the 2006 Cup semi-final, won by Norths 56-17. Despite losing influential halfback Lua Vailoaloa (moved to Australia) Norths should again be powerful. With a fantastic pool of talent in the club, Porirua Park should continue to be a graveyard for visiting sides.

In other first round matches, newcomers Wainuiomata host last year’s Shield runner-up Hutt Old Boys Marist at William Jones Park, Old Boys-University and Wests meet at Ian Galloway Park, Ories travel to Upper Hutt, and Tawa square off with Avalon at Lyndhurst Park in what is traditionally a high scoring clash.

Be sure to check the Club Weekly, New Zealand’s leading local rugby portal, regularly throughout the season. Be sure to signup for twice-weekly email updates.