Inspired Petone reclaim McBain Shield; Tawa, MSP, Ories unbeaten

An inspired Petone defied pre-match predictions to beat Hutt Old Boys Marist 20-19 and re-claim the famous McBain Shield today in front of a bumper crowd at the Petone Recreation Ground.

With the use of the second half wind and the confidence of an outstanding first half on defensive effort the Mateaki Kafatolu-led Petone side turned around a 3-14 deficit into a thrilling one-point win.

In a drama-fuelled finish to an intensely fought match, HOBM first five-eighth/fullback Glen Walters had the chance to re-take the lead but pulled his penalty attempt wide into the southerly. Another young gun for Petone, first five-eighth Tamati Samuels, then had his 22-dropout charged down, but he regained the ball and hoofed it down deep into HOBM's corner and the home side held on to the final whistle to win the McBain Shield for the first time since 2010.

After an intense forwards dominated battle throughout most of the first half, the Eagles had led 9-3 on penalties when their talisman prop Simon Malaeulu atoned from a 10-minute spell in the sin-bin to crash over to score the only try of the first half and the Eagles took a clear lead. But was it going to be enough?

Petone were rewarded for their commited first half when No. 8 Josh Hrstich burst into the 22 as part of a forwards rush to set up a 5-metre scrum, from which he scored from in the grandstand cotner. Halfback Carne Green kicked a penalty to close the score up to 14-13, before right wing Aleks Noble-Campbell scored in the corner and Green converted to put Petone ahead 20-14.

However, the Eagles scored an excellent try straight off a scrum, with fullback/first five-eighth Chase Tiatia combining with replacement wing Loranzo Lolesio and it was back to a one-point game, despite Walters' difficult conversion miss.But that was all they could muster and the Villagers were celebrating.

Tawa defended the Sammy Saili Memorial Trophy against Northern United, pulling away to record their third consecutive bonus point win 34-7.

With the Porirua Park wind in their favour, Tawa led just 10-0 at halftime against a fired up Norths. The key play of the first half was a try to their abrasive hooker Lotu Nuku, converted from out wide by former North sharp-shooter James So'oialo who raised 50 points for the season in this game.

Former New Zealand Sevens player George Tilsley and No. 8 Sam Blair both scored a second half doubles as Tawa went ahead to 17-0 and then to 22-0 and 27-0 and it was too steep a curve for Norths to come back from.

MSP grabbed a similarly dominant victory over Poneke for the Horan-Millar Trophy in the ‘Battle of Kilbirnie' match. MSP hooker Sefo Setefano scored their fourth try on fulltime for a bonus point 30-15 victory over Poneke.

Playing with the wind in the first spell, right wing Sam Scown scored in the Evans Bay corner and bookend Jacob Taituave also barged over the whitewash to give MSP an 18-3 lead at halftime.

Second five-eighth Isaia Petelo then scored under the bar to put the scarlets ahead 25-3, and like Norths, Poneke had too much of a deficit to come back from.

At William Jones Park, the Upper Hutt Rams came from behind with the wind in their favour to pip home side Wainuiomata 17-13.

Rams first five-eighth Liam Berry kicked three penalties and lock Sam Wasley scored a key try in the second half for the visitors that got them ahead 14-13 midway through the second half. In a tight contest, Berry's fourth penalty secured the win.

Wainuiomata had led 7-6 after fullback John Monu had scored an early 70-metre breakout try, converted by wing Tyler Tane. Further penalties were exchanged and Wainuiomata led 10-9.

The win for the Rams, their second in three matches, lifts them up to fourth spot behind leaders Tawa, while Wainuiomata remain winless.

The Wellington Axemen earned their first win in Premier rugby since 2001 and stored away the interclub Mick Kenny Memorial Cup when they defeated Johnsonville 16-9 at the ‘Graveyard' at Hataitai Park.

Playing with the wind, right wing Tony Smith scored a 50-metre try and first five-eighth Hilton Mexted kicked a penalty to put the Axemen ahead 10-0.

Johnsonville closed to 10-3 with their first penalty, but Wellington pulled clear to lead 16-3 at halftime.

The visitors battled hard in the second spell but could manage just a penalty to close the margin to 6-16, before kicking their third penalty on fulltime for a bonus point.

Oriental Rongotai beat Old Boys University 22-17 in their ‘away' match at the Polo Ground. Jack Callender was there - his report is below.

Three teams remain unbeaten at the top of the table in the Senior 1 Harper Lock Shield grade - Tawa, Avalon and the Upper Hutt Rams. All three had buoyant wins in today's third round matches.

The Upper Hutt Rams were beaten up at scrum time but won the battle everywhere else to be too slick for Wainuiomata at Mary Crowther Park. With long-serving first five-eighth Ben Aoina directing the ship, the Rams sailed to a 28-5 lead at halftime. They then pulled ahead after halftime to win 45-5.

Avalon dispatched the Wests Roosters, who sadly, are? shell of their former selves. Avalon won 67-0 to reach 150 points for the season in three matches and go to a maximum 15 competition points.

Defending second round champions Tawa battled to beat a much more competitive Norths side 25-15.

In the McBain Shield curtain-raiser, Hutt Old Boys Marist rocked Petone with two early tries and then went on to a 21-0 win, their first of the season.

MSP inflicted a 12-10 defeat on Paremata-Plimmerton, the latter's first loss of the season.

In the early game between Old Boys University and Oriental-Rongotai, the students won 20-15.

Unfortunately, the bottom of the Senior 2 National Mutual Cup is a farce, with another default. The Wests Roosters handed Avalon maximum points and Wests (-3) and Norths (-4) are in the negatives on the points table.

At the top of the table, two city teams, Wellington and Poneke, are setting the pace and both are unbeaten after the opening three rounds.

Wellington enjoyed their third consecutive bonus point win, beating the Upper Hutt Rams 31-7. Poneke won the Battle of Kilbirnie for the second XVs, triumphing 56-7 over MSP who had won their first two matches.

Keeping it tight at the Petone Recreation Ground, the Petone and HOBM third XVs drew 14-14.

OBU defeated Johnsonville 24-15 and Stokes Valley enjoyed a good win over Norths 38-24.

The Stokes Valley and Norths women's teams both raised the half century in their contests.

Stokes Valley beat new team Tawa 54-0 and defending champions Norths were too good for Wainuiomata 56-12.

In the two other first round Fleurs Trophy women's matches, Avalon beat Poneke 50-14 and Ories beat OBU 41-12 in the battle of the city teams.

The first round of Colts Rugby kicked off this weekend.

Defending champions Old Boys University Green overcame Ories 15-0 under lights at Te Whaea on Friday night, while beaten 2013 finalists HOBM Green went down 17-21 to Petone Blue.

Norths scored four tries in beating Wellington 22-8, while MSP beat the Poneke Cavs 27-23.

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Ories hang tough to beat OBU

by Jack Callender

In chilly conditions at the exposed Polo Ground, Ories held on to beat a fast finishing OBU side 22-17.

Ories got off to a perfect start, setting up camp in the OBU half for the first 5 minutes of the first half. Wave after wave of attack later the big lock Ben Komiti burrowed over for a try much to the delight of the 200 strong crowd who braved the southerly.

James Proctor added the conversion to put Ories 7-0 up.

OBU regained the ball shortly after the restart and the defence from Ories was caught napping. Greg Mullany made a half break and fed a superb offload to 2013 Wellington Lions halfback Tomasi Palu. He dotted down beside the posts.

Mullany converted and the game was tied.

From then on, it was all Ories in the first half. Ambrose Curtis and Afa Fa'atau on the wings gained easy metres and this signalled a momentum shift.

After Ories kicked the ball deep into the OBU 22 off a penalty, burly front rower Whetu Henry burrowed over for a magnificent pushover try. Plenty of cheers were heard by the fans for the popular prop. Proctor added the extra two points.

Shortly after the reliable Mullany nailed a penalty for OBU to make the score ever so close.

But a long kick from fullback Jesse Johnson saw a moment of brilliance occur. James Proctor skipped around Tim Smith, tippitoed down the touchline and flicked the pass on the inside for Whetu Henry who secured a brace of tries.

Proctor showed then how valuable he is to Ories at first five. He not only ran well during the half but he found the touchline with magnificent clearing kicks.

Ories were up 19-10 at the break.

After a brawl broke out between blindside flanker Ian Kennedy of OBU and Whetu Henry, OBU began to fire up and Ories conceded breakdown penalties and lineouts. The normally reliable lineout throws of hooker Hunter Prescott began to falter.

The OBU team built phases with former Wellington College star Wesley Goosen gaining plenty of yardage.

Tomasi Palu scored his second try, bumping off one of the Ories forwards. Mullany converted and OBU were right in the contest. The Fighting Billy Goats were on the charge.

Tackles began to be made more often in the second half for OBU compared to the first half. It was notable to see the smallest man on the paddock, OBU winger Tim Smith take down dynamic Ories centre Paulo Aukuso. This summed up OBUs grit and determination in the second half.

However despite being in the Ories half for lengthy spells, indiscipline at the breakdown would often hinder their try scoring chances.

With 10minutes to go Proctor banged over a penalty from 30 metres out to make the scoreline 22-17.

But with 1 minute to go, Ories conceded a scrum penalty and even though OBU threatened to score at the end through midfield busts, they simply ran out of steam.

The whoops of delight from Ories supporters rang out when Ories won the penalty for OBU having their hands in the ruck. Proctor booted the ball out to secure a valuable win for his side.

It was a game of two halves but Ories outstanding first 40 decided the outcome.

Top players

Whetu Henry - The big prop went through the whole 80 and played well. He ran well in open play, was aggressive in the tackle and even bumped off a few defenders. His scrummaging was top notch.

James Proctor - Proctor's long range touchfinders in the stiff Miramar southerly was invaluable. He ran with vigour on numerous occasions and kicked the ball well.

Afa Fa'atau - The chunky 116kg winger was an ever prominent threat down the sideline, he gained easy metres and was a beast with ball in hand as a few would be tacklers were steamrolled in his wake throughout the match.