Norths And Poneke To Meet In Jubilee Cup Final

Semi Final Results It will be a Northern United ? Poneke Jubilee Cup final this Sunday as both sides ran out winners against Petone and Avalon respectively in the cup semi-finals yesterday.

In front of a full house at Porirua Park top qualifiers Norths overcame the early loss of exciting young first five-eighth Lome Aloe through a serious shoulder injury to notch first points against the Swindale Shield champions. After a sustained attack, halfback Lua Vaoloaloa darted over in the corner in the 13th minute.

With so much at stake, surprisingly Norths? early intensity deserted them and Petone were able to maintain possession for the remainder of the half. If Norths appeared to take a leaf out of the All Blacks? book from Saturday night, Petone?s use of the spiral pass to move it wide with players running onto the ball was not unlike Australia.

However, for all their possession and constructive play Petone could only muster a try from a show of strength by prop Thomas Tupuivao. Scores were tied at half time before flyhalf Nick Kirton slotted a stunning 45-metre drop goal to give Petone the lead in the 51st minute.

Norths? response was swift. Several charging runs from Norths? replacements Iliki Naikatini and George Ape led to a try to wing Peato Lafaele in the 58th minute, then in the 72nd minute Junior So?o busted the line to put fellow inside back Tamati Ellison over for the clincher.

Meanwhile at Fraser Park, Poneke overcame a disappointing Avalon in their semi-final. Poneke were too strong for Avalon and fully deserved their win. Avalon, who have made a habit of stumbling in recent semi-final appearances, only had themselves to blame for not pushing Poneke closer, if not backing up their win against the red-and-blacks from last week.

Nevertheless, Poneke turned over too much Avalon ball and constantly gained easy territory with ball in hand, particularly up the shortside. Poneke?s openside flanker Masefou Leuluniu was outstanding and blindside Peter Savelio backed him up superbly, until he went off injured in the 60th minute. Poneke?s backs were threatening, with first fives Steve McColl (first half) and Jamie Stewart-Mcdonald (second) controlling their play with aplomb.

Poneke started well and led 11-0 after 20 minutes. An early penalty to McColl was quickly followed by the game?s only try to left wing Evan Belford after a marauding Poneke attack. Avalon first five Mano Flutey then missed two clear penalty opportunities, which would have evened things up. Flutey did finally get his side on the board in the 35th minute, following the sinbinning of Poneke No. 8 Rob Turuwhenua, but McColl responded in kind on halftime.

Poneke had to dig deep in the second spell as several injuries, most notably to McColl and Savelio forced a reshuffle, but they obliged, and both teams could only manage a further penalty apiece in the second half.