Tawa out-passion Ories to win maiden Jubilee Cup

Tawa are the 2013 Jubilee Cup champions.

A passionate Tawa completed the Swindale Shield-Jubilee Cup double at the Hutt Recreation Ground by beating Oriental-Rongotai 26-21 in a tight and willing final.

It is Tawa’s first Jubilee Cup since formation in 1947.Captain and tighthead prop Taniela Koroi raised the coveted Trophy aloft at the end on behalf of his team, his club and fans and all supporters of grassroots sport. Like he did in early June when he celebrated the first round title, Koroi thanked god, thanked his club and praised his teammates for capping off a wonderful year for the Lyndhurst Park club.

On the field, first five-eighth James So’oialo kicked back-to-back long-range penalties in the 73rd and 76th minutes to take the game away from Ories, who pushed Tawa all the way but couldn’t match them at the end.

So’oialo’s twin penalties carried Tawa to a 10-point advantage after his opposite, Ories first five-eighth Fa’atonu Fili had landed what proved to be his side’s last points of the final in the 57th minute that closed the margin to 20-16.

Ories hung in there to the end and second five-eighth Paulo Aukuso scored a well-deserved consolation try in fulltime.

For 2011 champions Ories, it was a tough way to end their season after being pipped by Marist St Pat’s in last year’s final at the same venue.

Tawa’s win was based around there outstanding second half defence and a hugely committed effort by their tight five and around the fringes. They also put concerted pressure on Ories' lineout.

Tawa’s pack, led by Koroi and featuring top efforts in particular by blindside flanker Sam Blair and hooker Matthew Treeby, was key. The game hung in the balance for long periods.

Tawa halfback Steven So’oialo was awarded the Jim Brown Memorial Medal for Player of the Day for marshalling his side to victory.

Afterwards Steven So'oialo, praised his team: "This group of guys have been unbelievable throughout the year so it's great that we've capped it off with this."

So'oialo announced his playing retirement afterwards and said he's leaving the club in good hands.

"We've got a lot of depth at our club at the moment. Coming into the final we've used 38 players this year, so this win is a credit to all the players in our club and there's a lot of guys coming through."

"So that's it for me, I'm done, I have to look after my young ones"

So’oilao and his younger brother James combined for one of Tawa’s two tries in the first half to give Tawa a 14-13 lead at halftime.

Steven So’oialo flew in to score a try in th3 36th minute in broken play after a break up the grandstand touchline by right wing Alfred Pelenise that was carried on by James So’oialo and put Steven in for a converted try.

Tawa had made the perfect start to the final when No. 8 Siaosi Mafi crashed over to score in the left hand corner in just the third minute and James So’oialo had converted to make it 7-0.

Ories swung on to attack and created the first two of several try scoring chances, before first five-eighth Fa’atonu Fili put dangerous left wing Afa Fa’atau into space. The wing was cut down, but kept the ball alive for hooker Poasa Poasa to cross to make it 7-7.

Ories continued to create chances and held a territorial advantage, but Tawa’s defence hung on and Fili could only manage penalties in the 21st and 33rd minutes to give Ories a 13-7 lead.

It was shortlived as So’oialo scored Tawa’s second seven-pointer to put them ahead at the break.Tawa created ascendancy early in the second half, James So’oialo kicking a penalty to extend his side’s lead to 17-13.

Tawa went close to breaking through, first through dangerous centre Timoci Seruwalu and then through a raid across Ories’ posts that was just shut out. Instead, James So’oialo kicked another penalty to put his side ahead 20-13 as some key substitutions such as lock Kaipati Gaualofa came on to join the fray.Fili replied with a penalty, almost from the kick-off, closing the score n the final to four points, before So’oialo kicked his third and fourth penalties of the second half.

As well as finishing the year with the Jubilee Cup - Swindale Shield double, the first team to do so in a single season since MSP in 2008, Tawa enter the summer months with the Andy Leslie Trophy and the Bill Brien Challenge Shield, as well as several interclub trophies.

2013 will be remembered as being Tawa’s year.

Scores: Tawa 26 (Siaosi Mafi, Steven So'oialo tries, James So'oialo 2 cons, 4 pens) beat Oriental Rongotai 21 (Poasa Poasa, Paulo Aukuso tries, Fa'atonu Fili con, 3 pens). HT: 14-13 Tawa