Norths, Poneke Contrasting First Round Winners

2006 Jubilee Cup finalists Northern United and Poneke both emerged as key Swindale Shield first round winners, defeating traditional rivals Petone and Marist. St. Pat's respectively in contrasting circumstances. Norths reinforced their warm favouritism, brushing aside Petone 37-10 at Porirua Park, while Poneke battled to an 18-17 come-from-behind win over MSP at Evans Bay Park.

Hutt Old Boys Marist were also significant first round winners, beating newcomers Wainuiomata 45-6 at William Jones Park, while in other games Tawa defeated Avalon 29-17 at home, Oriental-Rongotai overcame Upper Hutt 17-6 at Maidstone Park and Old Boys-University made light work of Western Suburbs, winning 27-8 at Ian Galloway Park.

It was a commanding start to the season for defending Swindale Shield and Jubilee Cup champions Norths, outscoring Petone four tries to one, sending a warning that they are once again the team to beat in 2007. Norths sailed to a 27-5 first half lead with the wind behind them and were equally impressive defending into it. Centre Daley Harper bagged two tries, while right wing Peato Lafaele added to his 2005 and 2006 combined points scoring tallies of 302 points with a try, a penalty and all four conversions.

In this week's feature game, it was a typically tenacious Poneke who edged out MSP in a first round thriller at Evans Bay Park. Poneke's success has been built on their fighting qualities, and this win for them was no exception, overtaking MSP with two late tries and then frantically defending their line in the dying minutes to hold out their near-neighbours.

They met MSP with stout defence and took their chances against an MSP side containing Hurricanes players, right wing Lome Fa'atau and lock Bernie Upton.

MSP grabbed the early ascendancy, and appeared in control through their organised forwards and superior tactical kicking of new first five-eighth acquisition Miah Nikora. Their efforts were eventually rewarded when they scored two tries in quick succession, racing to a 14-3 lead after 30 minutes. Hooker Ged Robinson crashed over from a lineout drive and left wing Mark Le pounced on a Poneke dropped ball and scampered 40 metres to score.

But Poneke continued to threaten and finally replied on halftime when left wing Ambrose Plaister finished off a break from prop Kwain Auelua, closing MSP's lead to 14-8.

The second half remained an arm-wrestle between two big packs, neither side able to break the shackles. Nikora inched MSP ahead to 17-8 with a penalty on 65 minutes, but it was MSP's defence that was showing signs of cracking, with Poneke increasingly finding holes around the fringes.

Eventually they broke through to score, halfback Blair Bradley making a break, and finding hooker Dane Coles on his inside to put fullback Tevita Latu in for the try. More concerted pressure followed, and when No. 8 Chris Brightwell spun around in a tackle to score again, Poneke held a one-point advantage with five minutes on the clock.

Stung into action, MSP swung hard on to attack in the final minutes. First Nikora missed with a long-range penalty attempt, then they tested Poneke's line with a series of scrums and lineouts at the death, but once again the Poneke's defence came up trumps and they held on to register the win.

Despite the loss, MSP proved they will be a threat this year with a competitive tight five, hard working flankers and Nikora at pivot, while Poneke with regular No. 8 Neil Meyer still to return are likely top four bound again - provided they can find a goal kicker to replace Brad Cooper.