Ories, Tawa and OBU two from two, last year’s finalists remain winless in Jubilee Cup

Above: Ories first five-eighth Hayden Whelan on the charge in today’s Jubilee Cup against Petone. Ories scored 31 unanswered points in the second half to sail to a 31-6 win, right wing Aukuso Tuitama scoring a hat-trick including two quick-fire tries early in the second half.

To view today's club rugby results, including Premier Jubilee Cup and Hardham Cup and Women's try-scorers, visit Draws & Results across the top of this page and use the Change Competitions menu on the left of the page.

UPDATED: Just when fans thought Premier club rugby couldn’t get any more competitive, it just has.

2011 champions Oriental-Rongotai, 2013 winners Tawa and the Old Boys University Goats have all won their opening two round-robin matches in this year’s Jubilee Cup, while last year’s finalists, first round Swindale Shield winners Hutt Old Boys Marist, and Wainuiomata, are both winless after two weeks.

Oriental-Rongotai sit atop the standings on 10 points after grabbing a late bonus point 31-6 win over home side Petone this afternoon, while Tawa held on to beat a fast-finishing Wellington Axemen team 38-27 at Lyndhurst Park and OBU dug deep into the wind in the second half to beat HOBM 28-17.

2012 champions Marist St Pat’s both opened their account in this year’s Jubilee Cup with an important 28-17 win over Wainuiomata at William Jones Park.

For Jubilee Cup match reports, read the Dominion Post online on Sunday morning.

In the Hardham Cup, the Upper Hutt Rams have emerged as the only unbeaten team after the opening two weekends of second round Premier 2 rugby. The Rams defeated Avalon 46-37 in a high scoring encounter at Fraser Park.

In a Hardham Cup thriller, Poneke scored a late match winner to pip Johnsonville 28-22 at home and retain the Bill Brien Challenge Cup. Full match report of this game is below.

First round Harper Lock Shield winners Tawa B bounced back from their first-up loss last week to beat Paremata-Pimmerton 36-17, with Paremata-Plimmerton being brought back to earth after their first win of the season last week over Poneke.

Northern United were made to work hard for their 17-10 win over Petone B in the early match on the Petone Recreation Ground, leading 10-3 at halftime but unable to pull away from the Villagers with the wind at their backs in the second spell.

On the adjacent field on the Petone Rec, the Petone Brotherhood were presented with the first round Thompson Memorial First Grade Trophy after they were beaten 28-26 in an exciting last round match by the Petone Saxons, who finished second.

The Saxons had the better of the Brotherhood through the forwards exchanges and they were awarded two penalty tries in the first half to take a 20-7 lead into the break. The Brotherhood hit back with a stunning try virtually off the opening kick-off, but the Saxons monstered the Brotherhood’s scrum and scored again to put them in front 25-12. But the Brotherhood weren’t about to lie down, and they came back to set up a close finish with the Saxons holding on to the end.

On Friday night, the Northern United Women’s team finished the first round Fleurs Trophy unbeaten, but were given a stern test by the OBU Impalas before winning 10-7. OBU led 7-5 at halftime at Te Whaea, but Norths scored their second unconverted try and clung on for victory.

The Tawa Titans were presented with the first round JC Bowl U85kg Restricted Trophy after they wrapped up the first round lightweight title with a 59-0 win over Eastbourne. The Titans finished the first round unbeaten in eight matches, ahead of second placed the Poneke Cavs with six wins from eight. Poneke defeated the Wellington Axemen 31-7 today.

Johnsonville won the first round U85kg Division 2 title, the Phillip Wiggins Trophy, after beating Wainuiomata 65-6. Johnsonville finished 4 points clear at the top of the standings to second placed Hutt Old Boys Marist who beat MSP Green 48

The second round Reserve Grade, Women’s and U85kg Restricted grades all start up next weekend.

Northern United won their ninth straight match today to head the Paris Memorial Trophy U21 competition. Norths beat Poneke 17-7 at Porirua Park.

The Upper Hutt Rams Colts are second after beating Paremata-Plimmerton 46-12, their only loss being to Norths, ahead of defending champions OBU Green in third who defeated mid-table Tawa 29-11.

Scots College are out in front with four wins from four outings after the completion of the fourth round of WelTec Premiership matches today.

Scots College accounted for Wairarapa College 50-3 in their trip over the hill, while Rongotai College defeated Hutt International Boys’ School 74-9 and St Pat’s Town bounced back from their loss to Rongotai last week by beating Tawa College 81-6.

Poneke, Norths and Wainuiomata each earned their second bonus point wins in the second week of the combined Ed Chaney Cup and HD Morgan Memorial Trophy Premier Reserve comptitions. Poneke defeated Johnsonville 65-14, Norths beat Wellington 45-5 and Wainuiomata overcame Marist St Pat's 36-26.

Match Report: Poneke 28 – Johnsonville 22

Last whistle plays can make or break a season.  Poneke will then be grateful that it came off successfully via their no.8 Galu Taufale, sealing the final result in a length-of-the-field return play off the very last kick-off to win from behind as well as retain the Bill Brien Challenge Cup.

Johnsonville weren't afraid to muscle in throughout the match and make cheeky plays, their representative halfback Jack Taulapapa first to find the chalk in the first half by scooting through heavy forwards using his light feet. 

As a catalyst Johnsonville usually need Taulapapa's energy and vision to give them front foot ball however all their points came when he was yellow carded in the second half, Johnsonville touching down twice and with five extra points off the boot.

A quick reshuffle three minutes from full time amongst the Poneke backline saw fullback Pakai Turia move to first five-eighth, which gave their incumbent Greg Mullany more space and time while sitting in second five-eighth. This move paid dividends. New wing Samoa Momoemausu touched down in the corner and the reaction time amongst the Poneke playmakers helped set up Galu Taufale for the final whistle win.

Congratulations to Poneke's Kenny Anderson - running on first for Poneke in his blazer game (30 starts for the Premiers).