Upper Hutt Rams make history with maiden win, Tawa pull clear to beat HOBM

?A maiden Wellington Premier club rugby win for the Upper Hutt Rams and an ominous warning from defending champions Tawa that they are again the team to beat this year, in an action-packed opening round of Swindale Shield matches played around the Wellington region today.

For the most part, the opening round was super-competitive, with only Tawa's six tries to two 50-14 win over the Hutt Old Boys Marist Eagles the only blowout score of the six games played under ashen skies and in a moderate wind.

In other first round Swindale Shield results, Petone overcame the Wellington Axemen 28-8, Poneke defeated Johnsonville 15-10 and Marist St Pat's beat Northern United 25-14. All these wins were achieved away from home. Wainuiomata went close to completing the pattern, drawing with Oriental-Rongotai 13-13 at the Polo Ground.

Tawa v HOBM

After withstanding a period of pressure throughout the first half in a lively match, the super-confident and physical Tawa side flexed their muscles against the HOBM Eagles, scoring three tries either side of halftime and racing to a 23-0 lead.

HOBM are a very good side, however, and after making several changes off the bench, they hit right back to close the deficit to 23-14 and even the most one-eyed Tawa supporters, and there were plenty of them on hand, were looking at the clock with 25 minutes to play.

They needn't have worried, as Tawa's aggressive pack and hard running backs wrestled back the initiative. Eagle-eye first five-eighth James So'oialo kicked two half penalties and then they ran in three further tries, all crackers to add to their earlier scored.

Flanker Chucky Koroi, was a late scratching for Tawa in the loose forwards, returning recently from a stint in Sri Lanka. TJ Fermanis came into openside flanker and scored two of Tawa's tries, while No. 8 Sam Blair was an enforcer on defence. Tawa blindside flanker Fili Koloamatangi won a wealth of ball. For HOBM, their No. 8 James Wall and hooker James O'Reilly were industrious, while Club Rugby was impressed with their new starting halfback Sheridan Rangihuna and first five-eighth Chase Tiatia. With front foot ball, these guys and Ope Pealseuma and Taiso Silafai-Leannaa further out are going to cut through several sides.

Video highlights of these tries now on the home page of this website

Upper Hutt Rams v Old Boys University

The Upper Hutt Rams kicked off their merger in fine fashion in front of healthy local support.? They may not have had the better scrum but they did capitalise on their opportunities better than their opponents OBU.

OBU's halfback, Matthew O'Connor, opened the scoring with a opportunistic dart down the blind after a strong scrum. It appeared from there as though OBU would control much of the contest.?

However,?nobody told the Rams of this and they were ignited back into the game after a sleepy opening ten minutes.? Murphy Taramai flew the flag and led from the front for the home side resulting in a smooth back line overlap try for fullback,?Jordan Simpson-Hefft.

Both sides traded penalties before a second Liam Berry penalty gave the home side an 11-8 halftime lead.

OBU will rue their missed opportunities. They opted for lineouts over shots at goal throughout the entire match.? Always, always take the points when on offer. Four kick-able penalties were thrown away and the gritty Upper Hutt side hung tough for large periods of the game.

Liam Berry continued to extend the Rams' lead until a Max Pearson runaway put the game beyond doubt.

The Upper Hutt Rams, deservedly,?winning 22-8 on an historic day as the two former clubs, Rimtuaka and Upper Hutt,?combined for something special.

OBU shouldn't be too disheartened though.? They created plenty of opportunities but execution was a critical factor in their demise at Maidstone.

Full credit?to Upper Hutt. They are tough both physically and mentally and will take comfort out of winning tough. The upset delighted the home crowd.

Wellington v Petone

This first Premier game since 2002 between the old rivals the Wellington Axemen and Petone failed to live up to some of their games of the past in terms of a spectacle.

Petone led 9-3 at the end of a disruptive first half on penalties, Petone halfback Carne Green kicking three penalties and Wellington halfback Nick Butterworth one.

The game came alive, briefly, after halftime when Petone loose forward Rolagi Lepupa scored a converted try to put the Villagers ahead 16-3.

The Axemen hit back off a Petone mistake and wing Tony Smith ran in their only try of the match to close the margin to 16-8.

Petone started to get on top, second five-eighth Nick Grigg scoring a second try and then captain and No. 8 Mateaki Kafatolu running like his brother and crossing after a 40-metre burst to cap a Player of the Day performance.

For Wellington, several of their top players were missing after playing for the IRANZ team at the Hong Kong 10s tournament. With the likes of Vaea Fifita and Dean Brunsdon returning they will compete with most sides.

Johnsonville v Poneke

A great crowd of 200 gathered at fortress Helston Park to support Johnsonville in their first game back in the Swindale Shield since 2010.

There weren’t high expectations for Johnsonville given their young squad. They were missing a number of experienced players from last season including co captains Louis Karl and James Fa’aataua.???????????

?Poneke were looking to start off on a winning note following a 7th placing in the 2013 Jubilee Cup. Both sides were superb in defence but with Poneke camped out in the Johnsonville 22 for much of the first half, the pressure began to build and penalties flowed the way of the visitors.

Poneke first five Mike Cody had a solid day with the boot 4 from 4 penalty attempts including a monster 50-metre effort which put his side 12-3 up at half time.

The second half was a scrappy affair with a number of penalties conceded by Poneke which created a number of penalties and forays into the Poneke 22 for Johnsonville. Unfortunately Johnsonville missed 3 kickable penalties and will be ruing their lack of discipline at the breakdown.Eventually Johnsonville managed to win a lineout close to the Poneke tryline and after a good build up, reserve centre Tawhiwhirangi crashed over for the game’s only try and brought the diehard fans to their feet.Unfortunately just as Johnsonville gained momentum following the try, front rower Ha’amea Ahio made a poor error on attack. The clock turned enemy for Johnsonville as Poneke ground down the time and booted the ball out for the win.

Johnsonville coach Mason Lawrence mentioned at halftime how the first 15minutes of the second half would be crucial. He was indeed right and Johnsonville came right back into the contest.

It was a match that Johnsonville could have won had they held on to the ball for longer periods and kicked as well as Poneke. However they can take some heart from their superb defensive effort where they only allowed one linebreak.

Poneke’s performance was solid if not spectacular and their backline often created chances but blew try scoring opportunities through crucial handling errors.

Johnsonville take on Norths next week at home, while Poneke head home to face Hutt Old Boys Marist who will be smarting over the thrashing by Tawa.
Players that stood out were:

Johnsonville’s Jack Talapapa created some positive play at halfback, he was constantly sniping around the ruck and his speed created quick ball.

Poneke’s Jacob Strang was solid at fullback. He asked questions of the Johnsonville defence and his speed off the line meant Johnsonville had to work hard to put him down. Both captains Corey Lawrence (Jville) and Galu Taufale (Poneke) put in solid performances.

Norths v MSP

MSP out-scored Norths three tries to one to win comfortably against the former leading lights of Wellington club rugby.

In a tight tussle, MSP lead 15-6 at halftime and then 18-9 with only several minutes to play when midfielder Isaiah Petelo scored the match winning converted try to put the game beyond doubt. Norths scored a consolation try at the end.

Earlier, MSP had scored two well-taken tries to wing Ryan Setefano, returning from Tasman, and No. 8 Pago Haini. Norths fullback Perry Hayman kicked nine of his sides 14 points, while Japanese left wing Genki Hasegawa scored their only try.

Oriental-Rongotai v Wainuiomata

Wainuiomata have often caused Ories a world of trouble since their re-entry to Premier rugby in 2007.

This match was no different as Wainuiomata very nearly snatched victory over Ories, before the two teams affected the first draw of the new season.

Wainuiomata went ahead 10-0 on the back of a converted try to fullback Tau Mamea and a penalty to first five-eighth John Monu. ?Home side Ories came back to with a try to midfielder Jarrod Henry and penalty to returning first five-eighth James Proctor. Proctor's brother Matt, coming into the side from Hurricanes duty, scored a key second half try. But in the end nothing could separate the two sides.

Senior 1 and Senior 2 grades

?The Upper Hutt Rams also enjoyed a win in the Senior 1 Harper Lock Shield grade, defeating perennial contenders in this grade Old Boys University 34-27 in the early game at Maidstone Park.

Upper Hutt's win over OBU was one of six bonus point victories on the opening day of the Harper Lock Shield.

Avalon defeated Petone 38-3 for the Morgan Family Trophy at Fraser Park, Paremata-Plimmerton smoked last year's Premier club the Wests Roosters 40-7, Ories blanked Wainuiomata 36-0 and Northern United edged out MSP 24-20 at Porirua Park.

The Northern United third fifteen was a no-show at Porirua Park in their day one Senior 2 National Mutual Cup contest, handing victory to MSP by default.

There were three bonus point victories in the other five matches. OBU got one win of the day against the Upper Hutt Rams, winning 33-5, the Wellington Axemen celebrated their late promotion to beat Stokes Valley 37-12 and the HOBM third XV defeated 43-22 in a Hutt Valley derby match.

Poneke beat Johnsonville 29-0 in the other Senior 2 encounter of the first day's play.