Club rugby booming tries Part One

Above: Old Boys University’s Shannon Paku is barrelled by Oriental-Rongotai’s Mafu Pale in this 2002 match. Paku got back up to score the match-winning try with seconds left on the clock. Photo credit: The Dominion Post, 22/7/02.

As part of the build-up to the start of the 2017 Premier club rugby season, we’re recapping some of the memorable tries in Wellington Premier club rugby over the past 15 years or so.

There’s been approximately 10,000 tries scored in this period, so these are just the tip of the iceberg and ones that stuck out or we reported from our vantage point on halfway or through our camera lens. Part one below 2002-2004.

Swindale Shield Round 2 2002: Willie Lafaele for Tawa (28) v Petone (23)

Tawa centre Willie Lafaele scored two tries in his side’s come-from-behind win at Lyndhurst Park, one of several memorable matches between these teams over the next several years. With his sharp footwork and ability to spot gaps, Lafaele proved a handful for Petone’s defence all afternoon. His second try was particularly impressive, shooting through a hole in midfield he had no right to take, dummying to midfield partner Malasia Mailo and putting on the afterburners to cross as Tawa erased a 9-18 deficit.

Swindale Shield Round 10 2002: Pita Alatini for Northern United (23) v Upper Hutt (7)

The 4000 spectators might have turned up to Maidstone Park to see Christian Cullen, but it was Northern United’s other All Black, Pita Alatini, who stole the show in this match. Second five-eighth Alatini was too hot to handle for Upper Hutt, elusive on his feet and also defending strongly. His try near fulltime was top drawer. With Norths hard on attack, Alatini got the ball in midfield with a defensive screen in front of him and few options. He danced on the spot, sidestepped about three players and darted through to score a classy try that won the game. Alatini was to score several tries like this for Norths such as the one he scored from halfway in a night-time win over Poneke the following season.

Jubilee Cup Round 7 2002: Shannon Paku for Old Boys University (21) v Oriental-Rongotai (19)

A blockbuster last round before the playoffs saw Old Boys University seal a semi-final place ahead of Norths thanks to this late try by Shannon Paku. Returning from a knee injury, Paku sprinted 50 metres to score the match-winner out of nothing on fulltime. Down 14-19 against Oriental-Rongotai with seconds to go, OBU regained the ball close to their line and spun it across their posts and up towards halfway. Tight forwards, lock Justin Cullen and loosehead prop Alan Kent, were on the end of the chain but they managed to link up with New Zealand U21 representative Paku who put the afterburners on.

Swindale Shield Round 7 2003: Duane Iupeli for Petone (22) v Marist St Pat’s (21)

Home side Petone held their composure to snatch an injury-time victory over Marist St Pat’s. Trailing 14-21 with just four minutes to play, Petone opted to kick for goal when awarded a penalty near MSP’s line. First five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth goaled and it proved to be crucial. With time showing on the clock, Petone were awarded one last lineout. Two minutes and numerous phases later flanker Duane Iupeli sold a dummy and crashed over out wide to secure a meritorious win.

Swindale Shield Round 11 2003: Adam Vardey for Northern United (35) v Western Suburbs (21)

This was the match at Porirua Park that saw Norths beat Wests and win the first of a hatful of Swindale Shield/Jubilee Cup titles over the following several seasons. Norths had to beat Wests to secure the silverware. Twinkle-toed fullback Tainafi Patu’s individual brilliance was the catalyst. Norths led just 10-6 after 30 minutes, but gained the ascendancy when captain George Ape scored on 35 minutes. Then on the stroke of halftime Wests made the mistake of kicking the ball to fullback Patu. He showed superb vision to chip ahead, regather and leave a trail of would-be tacklers in his wake before feeding halfback Adam Vardey for the try.

Jubilee Cup Round 6 2003: Tamati Ellison for Northern United (10) v Oriental-Rongotai (8)

A massive crowd was at Porirua Park in appalling weather to witness a brutal forwards contest between the Norths and Ories packs whose intensity and vigour was massive. Playing with the storm at their backs, Norths won the game with two first half tries that gave them a 10-0 lead at the break. One of these tries was ignited by a well-weighted Christian Cullen kick and chase that forced a 5-metre scrum. From the set-piece, they went left and stand-in first five-eighth Tamati Ellison dived on a grubber kick behind the line to score. The packed stand erupted.

Swindale Shield Round 4 2004: Owen Jackson for Avalon (34) v Upper Hutt (32)

Avalon blindside flanker Owen Jackson went from zero to hero in his side’s dramatic come-from-behind win at Maidstone Park. Jackson, who had earlier been sinbinned, scored the try which first five-eighth Darren Kapene converted to win the match. For Upper Hutt, this was the one that got away, after centre Brad Baker (3) and fullback Cory Jane (2) scored five tries between them. Upper Hutt led 22-10 at halftime, but Avalon hung in there and came back with a try to veteran lock Jason Goble. Avalon’s other flanker, Scott Waldrom, was having a blinder and with him leading the way, Avalon secured late field position and Jackson burst through to score a popular try for the visiting supporters.

Jubilee Cup Round 5 2004: Dan Scanlon for Marist St Pat’s (14) v Tawa (13)

A try for the purists. Marist St Pat’s flanker Dan Scanlon came back from an injury layoff to score the match-winning try against Tawa on a miserable day at Lyndhurst Park. Before a small but vocal crowd, MSP pipped the home team in an exciting match despite the atrocious conditions. Scanlon’s try early in the second half proved telling, peeling off a perfectly executed rolling maul and making a beeline for the whitewash. Just before fulltime, MSP employed a 15-man rolling maul with backs and forwards in barely recognisable scarlet driving Tawa back in the mud to save a possible game-clinching try.