All in readiness for silverware Saturday

Brandyn Laursen and the Hutt Old Boys Marist Eagles will kick off the Jubilee Cup final against Old Boys University tomorrow at the Petone Rec at 2.30pm. 

Tomorrow shapes up as silverware Saturday. The Jubilee Cup final takes centre-stage of the six finals being played at the Petone Rec, but there’s also the likelihood that the destinations of the Hardham Cup and HD Morgan Cup will also be determined tomorrow, plus one of the most eagerly-anticipated College matches of the year.

Premier Jubilee Cup

Old Boys-University vs Hutt Old Boys Marist

And so after 21 previously matches this season it all comes down to one, and the last two teams standing. This season has seemed to just rush by, as it doesn’t seem that long ago the season started with that opening day at Upper Hutt’s Awakairangi and Maoribank Parks. Tomorrow’s two sides actually experienced contrasting fortunes that late March day; Old Boys-University saw off Poneke 27-14, while Hutt Old Boys Marist went down to the Upper Hutt Rams 23-33.

Since then OBU almost swept everything before them: retaining the Swindale Shield and reclaiming the Andy Leslie Trophy and Bill Brien Challenge Trophy, and locking these away for the summer at the Cambridge alongside all but one of their interclub trophies. HOBM rebounded from that first-up loss to take care of their first piece of business, making a return to the Jubilee Cup after missing out on the top-8 last season (though they did win the Hardham Cup). The pair made tomorrow’s decider after two very different semi-finals; OBU crushed Tawa 50-22 at Porirua Park, while HOBM travelled into the city and prevailed 19-14 in an arm-wrestle over Marist St Pat’s.

The previous meetings between the two have both been nailbiters, with OBU edging both. The pair met in the penultimate round of the Swindale Shield in a ding-dong affair only settled 38-36 by a 79th minute Dale Sabbagh penalty, while their Jubilee Cup round-robin saw a prolonged late HOBM assault on the OBU line rebuffed with the Goats holding on to win 19-17.

For tomorrow the Goats make just a solitary change to the 22 from the semi-final, but it’s a big one as with the Hurricanes season over, Wes Goosen has been cleared to play. He takes over at centre, with Patrick Hausman making way. The Eagles likewise make a single change to their starting XV from last week, with Sheridan Rangihuna returning from suspension at halfback with Nick Risdon dropping to the bench. They’ll again have the services of James O’Reilly, while Ben Power also comes into the 22.

Both sides have seven players starting tomorrow who also started their sides’ last Jubilee Cup triumph. For OBU that’s front rowers Finnbarr Kerr-Newell, Stu Simonsen, and Jonathan Fuimaono, lock Agustin Escalona, No8 Teariki Ben Nicholas, winger Te Wehi Wright, and centre Goosen while Tomasi Palu came off the bench that day as did Morgan Poi who will be there again. That group for HOBM is O’Reilly, prop Simon Malaeulu, No.8 Lise Soloa, halves Rangihuna and Glen Walters, and three-quarters Tomasi Alosio and Fereti Soloa, with Francis Tanuvasa starting tomorrow after being on the bench three years ago.

On the season OBU have a W16 L4 record, and led the way in most points for (754), fewest points conceded (359), and most tries (113) in both the Swindale Shield and Jubilee Cup round-robin. First-five Sabbagh is their leading points scorer with 241, setting a new club record, while outside back Teegan Minkley has touched down 13 times; including doubles in three of his last four matches.

HOBM’s season record sits at W13 L7 and a season tally of 638 points scored, 457 conceded, and 89 tries. Brandyn Laursen and Rangihuna lead their point scoring with 143 and 131 respectively, with Laursen also the team’s top try scorer with 11.

There’s plenty of match-ups to run the rule over. It starts upfront where both sides will be looking to get dominance at scrum time. Opensides Daven Candy and George Amosa are both dab hands at generating turnovers, while No. 8s Ben Nicholas and Soloa will be charged with getting their sides going forward. The halfback contest between Palu and Rangihuna should be a good scrap, Sabbagh will match wits with HOBM pair Walters and Laursen in steering their sides around the park, and how each set of backs create and take chances could be a decisive factor.

For the third successive year the final will be refereed by Richard Gordon, with this his 97th Wellington Premier game. He’s well versed with these two teams, having also refereed both of their earlier contests this season. He’ll again be assisted by Vincent Ringrose and Nick Hogan, who took charge of the two semi-finals.

Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Premier Reserve Ed Chaney Cup

Old Boys-University vs Petone

Like their Premiers, OBU will be after the season double and adding the Ed Chaney Cup to the Harper Lock Shield they’ve already claimed this year; the changes to the Premier structure and the end (for now) of B-teams playing in the Hardham Cup making that a possibility. Standing between them and that are Petone, who will be very familiar with the ground and surroundings, and looking to go one better than when they lost in this same final last year.

Both sides are here after matching 20-17 victories last week. OBU prevailed over MSP on the back field at Porirua Park in a frantic final few moments that saw the Goats take the lead from a penalty try and then survive a last ditch assault; while Petone leapt out to an early lead away at Tawa before edging matters at the end. In their two meetings this year OBU has the edge, winning the first encounter 25-0 and the second 33-19, but they’ll also count for nothing tomorrow

The Goats mix youth and grizzled experience. Fitting the former category are lock Sam Green and winger Trent Harris, while latter includes Hanipale Galo who has moved from the outside backs to No.8 this season, centre Morgan Chalmers, 100+ Premier cap Seminar Manu (maybe playing his final game) at first-five, and fullback Chris Crichton who may be new to OBU but has over 150 games of Premier rugby in Christchurch on his log. They’ll be captained from the front by prop Mark ‘Stump’ Franklin who is one of the real characters of Wellington club rugby. Petone have a similar mix, with two Villagers to keep an eye on being No.8 Ethan Wilson and first-five Ngarangi Haerewa while the presence of several eligible Premier players including veteran Jared Kahu can’t be discounted.

The referee for this match is the experienced Greg Binning who also refereed last year’s Ed Chaney final and has recently been elevated to the Premier referee panel. Kick-off is scheduled for 12pm.

Women’s

The two Women’s finals will be played side-by-side, with the Victoria Tavern Trophy decider between Oriental-Rongotai and Old Boys-University taking place on the #1 ground.

As covered in our preview yesterday the Lady Magpies are looking for an unbeaten season, and to claim the title they last held in 2014. OBU are looking for their maiden title and second upset in as many weeks after tipping over Norths at Jerry Collins Stadium.

On the other side of the cricket block on #4 is the Division 2 final between two sides that didn’t exist this time last year. Petone will be looking to finish an unbeaten second-half, while Paremata-Plimmerton will be out to change that.

Both Women’s finals kick-off at 12pm. Marius Du Toit will referee the Victoria Tavern Trophy decider – it is his second women’s final having refereed the 2013 match – with Tony Upton in the middle for the Division 2 game.

Colts

The fourth of the 12pm kick-offs is on the #3 ground where the Division 1 John E Kelly Memorial final will be played out between Petone and Old Boys-University, something previewed in detail here on Thursday. Petone are looking to provide the club with their first Division 1 title in a decade and do the season double after winning the first-round Paris Memorial, while OBU will be after their fifth championship in the past six years.

In the Division 2 Vic Calcinai Memorial final it’s the Upper Hutt Rams taking on the Kapiti side on #4 at 2.20pm. The Rams have had a rollercoaster year including being relegated from Division 1 at the end of the Paris Memorial, but finished top of Division 2 and beat Wainuiomata 19-17 last Saturday. Kapiti have played in Division 2 all season, finishing fourth in the first-round then second this half of the season. They made this final after beating Poneke 15-10 in Paraparaumu last weekend.

Promising young referee Jack Sargentina will have the whistle for the Division 1 game, with Dennis Sharman refereeing the Division 2 decider.

In the event any matches are drawn at the end of normal time there will be 10 minutes each-way of extra-time; if still tied after this it will be followed by a 10-minute ‘golden point’ period. If still tied the winner will be the side that scored the most tries in the match, but if equal the side with the better points-difference from the round-robin.

There’s plenty of action in places other than the Petone Rec on Saturday as well

Premier 2 Hardham Cup

Although most of the focus will be down the road, the other Premier trophy could also be decided tomorrow. After accounting for Johnsonville last week, the Upper Hutt Rams have opened up an eight-point lead and can wrap up the title should they beat Avalon at home tomorrow.

In the other two matches Johnsonville will be hoping for an upset Wolves win as well as one of their own when they host Wellington at Helston, while further up State Highway 1 Paremata-Plimmerton welcome Poneke to Ngati Toa Domain. One notable inclusion in Poneke’s side is at No.8 where Dane Coles is named looking for game time in preparation for the rest of the international season.

All three matches are at the usual 2.45pm kick-off time

Other grades

It could be double delight for the Rams, as their second side could also wrap up the Premier Reserve Div 2 HD Morgan Memorial if they take a bonus point win against Avalon in the early game at Maidstone; something they’ve done in each of their games in the round so far. Elsewhere Johnsonville host winless Wellington at Helston and Poneke will be hoping for the Rams to slip up when they head out to Ngati Toa to face Paremata-Plimmerton. All three matches kick-off at 1pm.

The Under 85kg Div 1 Paul Potiki Shield remains tight. Wellington opened their lead up without leaving home last weekend but face one of their tougher tests this time out in a top-of-the-table clash with Tawa at Te Whaea, while third-placed Avalon will look to leapfrog one of these two when they host Poneke at Fraser Park; both games at 2.45pm. In the earlier slot Johnsonville face HOBM at Newlands Park at midday, while it’s a 3pm start beside the sea at HW Shortt for Eastbourne and Kapiti with fourth place on the ladder at stake.

The First Grade Div 1 Johnsonville Centennium Cup continues to be topsy-turvy stuff. HOBM’s win over Petone tightened the table up and just five points cover the top-six sides. Points difference keeps the Brotherhood on top, and they’ll play the OBU Wolfpack on neutral turf at the Hutt Rec at 1pm. At 2.45pm co-leaders the Norths Uso’s are at Evans Bay to face MSP, while across the road Poneke take on the Stokes Valley Chiefs. The fourth match had the HOBM Barbarians scheduled to face the Norths Reds, but the latter have already defaulted.

College WelTec Premiership

The game that people have been waiting all season for takes place tomorrow, when unbeaten pair Silverstream and Scots clash. That match will be on neutral territory at Porirua Park, a venue where both aim to be back at for the final in two weeks’ time. With each already assured of hosting next weekend’s semi-finals, this match will determine top spot and perhaps something of an edge should they meet again in the decider.

Wellington College will finish third should they beat Porirua at home and will take on the loser of the match above, while Town make the short trip to take on Rongotai looking for a positive result to take into the playoffs though their opponents would dearly like to take down their rivals in their last outing. Like Rongotai, Hutt Valley High’s season will come to an end when they host Kapiti, and Tawa make the trek over the Rimutaka’s to face Wairarapa College in Masterton.

Although out of playoff contention, the season won’t end for four of these sides. Porirua and Tawa will meet at a yet-to-be-determined time for the Wellington Co-ed title, as will Kapiti and Wairarapa to determine which of those two will advance to the regional playoffs stage.

All five matches are 2.30pm kick-offs.