Trisha Kalolo-Apolinario and Poneke preparing for semi-final

This Saturday’s home women’s competition division 2 semi-final for Poneke against Paremata-Plimmerton will be a special occasion for both the team and the captain and front-rower Trisha Kalolo-Apolinario.

As well as it being the first playoff appearance for this Poneke side, and with it the chance to play on finals day at Petone next weekend, Kalolo-Apolinario will become the first player to be recognised for reaching 50 caps for the side and be presented with her blazer on Saturday evening.

Kalolo-Apolinario has been playing for Poneke since 2013 when the new team was formed as a merger with Marist St Pat’s. “This weekend’s game will be a career highlight,” she said, “It serves as a double-header for me, my 50th blazer game and our first home semi-final.”

Second placed qualifier Poneke face a tough match against third placed Paremata-Plimmerton, who are also new to the competition this year.

Their three matches so far this year have been close. Poneke won their encounter 22-17 in the first round, but honours have been shared in the second with Paremata-Plimmerton pipping Poneke 20-17 in game one and Poneke prevailing 20-10 in game two with Kalolo-Apolinario scoring a try in that match on neutral Ian Galloway Park.

Kalolo-Apolinario said that Saturday’s semi-final opponents Paremata-Plimmerton will be up for another big contest.

“We’re definitely stoked to be playing at home on Kilbirnie Park and it means a lot to me and my team and our club to be able to secure a home semi. All three games against them this year have been tough battles so of course we're not underestimating them by any means.”

Kalolo-Apolinario said the match against HOBM was a benchmark game for them. “In the HOBM game two weeks ago before our bye last round [won 40-20] we played as a team and managed to individually execute our roles against such an experienced and unpredictable side.”

Kalolo-Apolinario explained how she started playing rugby. “My rugby days started when my dad chucked me in the U11 Marist Boys team and I stayed there for two years.

“I came back to rugby in Year 9 (2002-2007) for St Catherine’s College. After that I went to OBU because Poneke couldn't field a team and the next year I followed my coach from St Catherine's to MSP to play for the first women’s team from that club. 2013 saw the merge of Poneke and MSP and I've been playing for Poneke ever since.”

She said the growth in the number of teams and players has been a positive change in her career so far. “More teams mean more competition. The influx of young players coming through from college and other sport not only helps grow the game but ensures Wellington clubs can retain their women's teams.”

Poneke go into this Saturday’s semi-final having won seven from 11 games played (plus one win by default). They have scored 297 points and conceded 171. At home, they have won two from five matches, but transfers, byes and one win by default means their last match on Kilbirnie Park was six weeks ago when they beat HOBM 27-19.

Like Poneke, Pareamata-Plimmerton is a young team this year with most of the players new to club rugby in 2017. The nucleus of their side is a the Aotea College team that finished runners-up in the secondary school competition to beaten national champions St Mary’s College.

Paremata-Plimmerton has won five from 12 games played, including the 20-17 win over Poneke at Ngatitoa on 13 May. They have scored 301 points and let in 284 points.

The winner of this semi-final will play the winner of the other top four Division 2 game between top qualifier Petone and Hutt Old Boys Marist at the Petone Rec.

In the Division 1 Victoria Tavern Trophy semi-finals, unbeaten Oriental-Rongotai hosts Marist St Pat’s at the Polo Ground and Northern United tackle Old Boys University at Jerry Collins Stadium. All four semi-finals kick off at 11.30am.