The fifth round of the Jubilee and Hardham Cups shapes as a critical one for many teams chances in both competitions, as potentially, teams could be confirmed or eliminated as semi-finalists as early as this week. Elsewhere there's a full slate of club games scheduled, including a special round in the Women's competition with one titanic clash, as well as college before the latter breaks for the school holidays. Jubilee Cup Wainuiomata and HOBM have stolen a march on the rest of the pack and irrespective of results tomorrow will continue to occupy the top two places after this week; they each could also be confirmed as semi-finalists after tomorrows round of matches if they win and other results fall their way...More

Halfback Dave ‘Charlie' Henderson (pictured above back row in the middle with the beard) spent a decade at the top in Wellington Jubilee Cup and Swindale Shield rugby, as the Wellington Axemen's halfback from 1969-79. Throughout his time, the Axemen were one of Wellington's leading clubs, sharing the Swindale Shield with Petone in 1972, sharing the Jubilee Cup Athletic in 1972 and with MSP in 1978 and winning the unofficial National Club Rugby title in 1979. Henderson also played exactly 100 first-class matches for Wellington and was a key cog in Wellington's inaugural NPC-winning side in 1978...More

St Patrick's Silverstream have claimed a resounding 42-0 win against traditional rivals, Rongotai College, in front of home support in testing conditions this afternoon. The winter weather turned up in full force at Silverstream with chilling southerlies and hail-storm's to boot, however, it did little to dampen St Pat's determined demolition. It was clear that the team with the better forward pack would prevail, early scrums suggested that Silverstream would have the ascendancy as they overpowered their opposition and dictated possession and territory stakes...More

Formed in 1985, the Johnsonville Cripples is one of the well-known lower grade teams that is part of the fabric of Wellington club rugby. The Cripples currently play in the Reserve Grade Division 2 competition. Last weekend they played their annual match against the Wests Mixed Veges for the Sandy Cup, going down 5-22. Club: Johnsonville Rugby Football Club. Team name: Cripples. Team mascot: Smurf. The original mascot MO (a stuffed dog) was kidnapped by a gang of bikies and was last spotted somewhere on the East Coast sitting on a dozen beer crate and hanging out...More

It was a tough day at the office for Avalon against Norths, who played some of the match with 13 players following a first half red card and a sin-binning. Trailing 8-14 at halftime, Avalon ran out of puff and conceded another 40 points in the second spell.UPDATED: Wainuiomata and Hutt Old Boys Marist supporters were basking in the sun this afternoon, following their teams' hard-fought Jubilee Cup wins over Oriental-Rongotai and Marist St Pat's respectively and other results going their way to all but seal their semi-finals places...More

This weekend marks the halfway point of the Jubilee and Hardham Cup round-robins, with three rounds played so far and three to follow after tomorrow. Results and competition points are at a premium, and its already make-or-break time for some teams. Most club matches are at earlier kickoff times this weekend due to the Hurricanes vs Crusaders match on Saturday night. Jubilee Cup Only three sides have won two or more of their matches, unbeaten teams Hutt Old Boys Marist and Wainuiomata, along with Marist St Pat's, a testament to how competitive and combative the Jubilee Cup is...More

Tony Meachen is the only player to captain two clubs to the Jubilee Cup title. In 1977 he captained Athletic to the Jubilee Cup and in 1984 he led Marist St Pat's to the Wellington club rugby championship title (pictured above). He also represented Wellington at hooker throughout several seasons over this period and went on to coach for many years at club fifteens and representative Sevens level. As a former First XV hooker for St Pat's Town, you started out as a flanker at MSP because your path was blocked by Wellington hooker Kevin Horan who was also captain? After leaving school I played for MSP from 1972-1975...More

Flanker Henry Stowers makes a break against Petone recently, with brothers Greg (left) and Dion (right) Lealofi hot on his heels in supportIf you're part of the 28-strong Wainuiomata squad and you don't have a brother, cousin or uncle playing alongside you or as part of the management or coaching staff you're in the minority. In fact all but eight players in this year's squad are not connected in some way through family ties to at least one other person in the Wainuiomata Premiers, says coach Justin Wilson...More

As reported recently, the MSP Blues won the first round JC Bowl U85kg Division 1 first round competition, beating nearest rivals the Tawa Titans 27-10 in their title decider. In winning all nine of their first round games, the Blues scored 384 points and conceded 46. They opened their second round Paul Potiki Shield defence last Friday night with a hard-fought 10-0 win over the Poneke Cavs. Club: Marist St Pat's Team name: MSP Blues Home ground: The Blues have had a large number of "home" grounds over the years and enjoy playing on artificial surfaces like Te Whaea and the new St Pat's College ground as these showcase the running rugby the under 85kg grade should be about...More

Northern United were the biggest winners of the day on Saturday,beating MSP B 60-0 in the Hardham Cup. They're back. Defending Jubilee Cup champions Tawa earned their most important win of the season today on the shortest day of the year, beating the home side 19-12 in front of several hundred hardy spectators at the Petone Recreation Ground. Tawa's opening win of the 2014 Jubilee Cup, following their opening round 15-45 loss to a Hurricanes-laden Ories and last week's comeback 19-19 draw with Wainuiomata, puts them back on track to make the semi-finals with two consecutive home matches coming up against Old Boys University and Marist St...More