Unfamiliar Territory For Norths In Fourth Round

A tight opening three weeks and several topsy-turvy results make it a difficult job of sorting out the form guide so far in the Swindale Shield. But Wellington club rugby followers should be presented with a clearer gauge of their team's progress after this week's fourth round of matches.

A key indicator will be garnered from this week's Club Weekly feature game at Porirua Park between Northern United and Old Boys-University, where OBU will be seeking their fourth straight win and title holders Norths will be out to rebound from back-to-back losses.

It's been an unfamiliar fortnight for Norths, tipped over by newcomers Wainuiomata 30-29 and then squeezed out by Hutt Old Boys Marist 19-17, the first time they have lost twice in a row for two years. Their fans will need to recall rounds eight, nine and ten of the 2004 Swindale Shield round for the last time they lost three in a row.

In contrast, OBU have enjoyed a rollicking start to 2007, grabbing maximum points from all three of their opening matches, with wins over Western Suburbs (27-8), Petone (25-3) and Wainui (58-7). As such the students will enter this match tentatively wearing the favourites tag, and with a highly competitive pack and fleet-footed backs, they have every reason to be confident, but nonetheless weary of their opponent.

Last year these two sides contested two nail biting fixtures, OBU prevailing 27-21 in the first round at the Basin Reserve and Norths turning the tables in the Jubilee Cup round to win 23-20 at Porirua Park.

Hot on OBUs trail are Poneke, who have also started with three wins, against Marist St. Pat's, HOBM and Oriental-Rongotai. The red and blacks will fancy their chances when they travel to Fraser Park to tackle an Avalon side with one win so far against Upper Hutt.

At the Hutt Recreation Ground, HOBM open their first defence of the Bill Brien Challenge Cup against Ories on their Old Timer's Day. Despite losing to Poneke in the second round, the Eagles appear strong again this year, with an emphatic opening win over Wainui and last week's two-point pipping of Norths.

Western Suburbs have shown glimpses that they could be the dark horses, following a closer than suggests first round loss to OBU and wins over Tawa and Upper Hutt. The Roosters will certainly confirm these suspicions if they can grab another win over MSP in their fixture at Ian Galloway Park.?

Meanwhile, it's the battle of the wooden spoon at Maidstone Park between Upper Hutt and Petone, each desperate to lift themselves off the bottom and join the winner's circle. Tawa and Wainui square off at William Jones Park in the remaining fixture.?