Defending Champs Norths Looking Good For Cup Repeat

Round 5 Review For the second week in a row defending champions Northern United fended off the challenge of their closest rival and confirmed their favouritism for a repeat Cup triumph. Last week it was Upper Hutt by two points, this week it was Petone by one, with a late penalty being good enough for Norths to overtake the Villagers to win 16-15 and remain unbeaten after five rounds.

Upper Hutt were too strong for Tawa, running away to win 53-24, to see them retake second place on the points table ahead of Petone. Poneke were also come-from-behind winners with a 27-22 victory over Marist St. Pats, while Avalon beat a flatlining Western Suburbs 34-20. The battle for the fourth semi-final spot also intensified, heading into next week?s penultimate round only two points now separate fourth placed MSP and chasers Poneke, Avalon and Tawa. Only Wests are out of the running.

The Club Weekly was at Kilbirnie Park, where Poneke held on for a determined win over neighbours MSP. In a must-win game, Poneke?s forwards overpowered their injury hit MSP counterparts to keep their playoff chances alive. Led by inspirational lock Tau Tapasu - in his first and only game of the season for Poneke before he heads back to France - the red-and-blacks pack won the day with a committed second half performance.

Trailing 16-10 at the break, a fired up Poneke attacked MSP up front with some superb driving and mauling play in particular, and turned around the deficit to register a popular win. It was also an equally gritty performance by MSP, who were severely hampered as the game wore on ? losing several players through injury, including both starting locks, captain Matt Egan and Dan Scanlon. Despite this, they competed for everything and contributed towards a torrid fixture.

Earlier, MSP first five-eighth Sam Rasch and Poneke fullback Brad Cooper traded penalties, and MSP led 9-3 after 17 minutes. MSP went further ahead on the half hour mark with a clinical try to blindside flanker Ene Fa?atau, following a clean midfield break by second five-eighth Joe Wright. Rasch converted and at 16-3 ahead MSP were in control. Poneke dug deep and scored a crucial try late in the half through No. 8 Laki Vitale.

Further penalties to Rasch and Cooper saw MSP maintain the six-point advantage, before Poneke were reduced to 14 men, with first five-eighth Steve McColl shown yellow for taking MSP speedster Dan Stemp out near the line. Rasch?s fifth penalty made it 22-13, but a dropped goal and a penalty to Cooper narrowed the gap to three in McColl?s absence. No sooner had McColl returned to the field he darted across the line for a fine try, giving Poneke the lead for the first time. With 15 minutes remaining they had their tails up now and only steadfast defence held them out. MSP then kept Poneke?s supporters on edge with a late rally, but it was too late.

At the Petone Recreation Ground Norths found themselves trailing Petone 15-13, despite enjoying the lion?s share of territory and possession. Norths had broken a 7-7 deadlock to take the lead early in the second half, before veteran Petone wing Alex Telea scored to almost take the game away from Norths. It was excitement aplenty at Lyndhurst Park, where a total of 12 tries were scored. But it was visiting Upper Hutt who beat Tawa in a canter in the end, and centre Finau Hopoi starred for Avalon in their all to comfortable win over Wests at Ian Galloway Park.

Steven White


Leading season points scorers (after Jubilee Cup Round Five):

Scott Leighton (Wests) 172
Brad Cooper (Poneke) 168
Sam Rasch (MSP) 166
Gene Johnston (Tawa) 91
Cory Aporo (Upper Hutt) 88
Cameron Cross (Avalon) 87
Ben Aoina (Upper Hutt) 85
Riki Flutey (Petone) 74
Rob Aloe (Norths) 63
Willie Lafaele (Tawa) 62
Steve McColl (Poneke) 51
Evan Belford (Poneke) 50

Leading season try scorers (after Jubilee Cup Round Five):

Evan Belford (Poneke) 10
Junior Togia (Tawa) 9
Dan Stemp (MSP) 8
Willie Moala (Petone) 7
Vila Apu?ula (Avalon) 7
Siaosi Anamani (Norths) 7
Steve McColl (Poneke) 7
Thomas Waldrom (Avalon) 6
T Umaga-Marshall (Petone) 6
Chris Puketapu (Upper Hutt) 6
Brad Baker (Upper Hutt) 6
Cory Aporo (Upper Hutt) 6

* 8 players with five tries, 15 players with four tries.