Deadlock In Kilbirnie As Wainui Push For Jubilee Cup Spot

A thrilling draw between Old Boys-University and Poneke and a Piri Weepu inspired Wainuiomata win over Avalon were the talking points of the ninth round of Swindale Shield, again played in splendid late autumn conditions across Wellington.

The 23-23 deadlock between big guns OBU and Poneke has seen Northern United, who annihilated Oriental-Rongotai 65-14, increase its lead on the points table to four points over second placed Poneke. The draw also means Hutt Old Boys Marist overtakes the students into third with two rounds to go, after they dispatched Upper Hutt 29-17 at Maidstone Park.

In the scramble to finish inside the top eight to play in the Jubilee Cup, Wainui's 27-11 victory over Avalon at Fraser Park has put the cat amongst the pigeons - or in this case the Roosters. Next week's battle at William Jones Park between Wainui and Wests now takes on extra significance for a battling Wests side who have a date with Norths in the last round.

Wests lost to Petone 23-9 at Ian Galloway Park after scores were tied up at 6-6 at halftime. The Villagers are now safely joined in the Jubilee Cup by Marist St. Pats who edged out Tawa 7-3 in the round's other encounter.

At the Polo Ground, Norths' firepower overwhelmed Ories, running in ten tries to two, including a two try-25 point haul to fullback Peato Lafaele. Meanwhile the wins to both HOBM and Wainui were both ignited by the play of their respective first five-eighth's. Weepu kicked a conversion and five penalties while Bentley sparked an impressive Eagles backline and scored a try of his own.

Poneke came back to snatch a late draw against OBU at home, after the students themselves had emphatically come back from an early 10-3 deficit to grab a 20-10 lead at halftime. OBU fullback Beau Brown crossed for back-to-back tries before the interval, ahead of one penalty to each side after the break. A try to Poneke hooker Danes Coles followed by another penalty evened the ledger up to the final score of 23-23.

There was no such excitement across the road at Evans Bay Park with the 7-3 scoreline reflecting an uninspiring celebration of MSP's Old Timers' Day, where good quality rugby was replaced by a high error rate from both teams and overly judicious referring. In perfect conditions, both teams lacked spark and accuracy, both regularly coughing up possession and letting promising opportunities slip by.

Just one try was scored, a 25th minute solo effort to MSP No. 8 Alex Tulou, playing off the back of the scrum in place of a rested Victor Vito. From a standing start, Tulou received the ball in the midfield, danced through the defence and scampered 40 metres to score. In reply Tawa managed a penalty late in the half to first five-eighth Gene Johnston ahead of a scoreless second 40 minutes.

While MSP walked away relieved for Tulou's try secured them the win and a spot in the Jubilee Cup, Tawa would have felt hard done by. The visitors enjoyed the lion's share of territory, particularly in the second half when it took MSP 25 minutes to enter their 22. They created several clear breaks in the first half but were heavily penalised in the breakdowns. Despite these factors they lacked patience and were met with stiff defence out wide.

The game reached its crescendo approaching fulltime, with Tawa hammering away into injury time for a possible match-winning try. But two set-piece penalty kicks into touch failed to go out and MSP won at least two more last-gasp turnovers to deny Tawa the glory.

Meanwhile, the early game between Johnsonville and MSP's B side was anything but dull, Johnsonville winning 64-8 in a cakewalk and wrapping up the Senior One Harper Lock Shield with two rounds to spare.

Johnsonville took control of the contest late in the first half, running in five excellent tries in a tick over half an hour and taking a 35-8 lead into halftime. MSP competed well early in the second half, but normal service returned for the boys in blue over the final quarter with a late flurry of scoring.

A feature of Johnsonville's play was that of veteran Corey Burt and All Blacks openside Chris Masoe, with Burt controlling play from first five-eighth and kicking all five first half conversions while Masoe put in a dominant display of top class play. Masoe also scored a great solo try, surging through a half gap and galloping 20 metres to cross in the corner.

Johnsonville's Senior Two side also wrapped up their grade with two rounds left, beating Avalon 24-8.