Hardham Semis Review!

The semi finals for the Hardham Cup proved to be thrillers for all teams with some unexpected results coming to fruition on Sunday. The two leading teams were both knocked over by the underdogs with Hutt Old Boys Marist losing to Johnsonville 24-25 in a nail biter that went down to the wire. Old Boys University were beaten by Oriental-Rongotai 24-14 at the Basin Reserve. OBU who were second on the table and who had previously beaten the Ories side, under estimated the ability of the team who took advantage and now advance to the final.

The feature match was the HOBM v Johnsonville encounter which kept all the spectators on the edge of their seats for the full eighty minutes. The game started as expected with HOBM crossing the line first and posting two tries early on. Corey Burt missing a few penalty opportunities didn?t help his team?s chances of catching up. However he found his form and managed to slot a couple of penalties alongside a great try from Farrand Turner, which brought the side within one point of HOBM at half time making it 12-11.

As the second half got underway a new look Johnsonville stepped onto the field. Corey Burt made up for his earlier mistakes and snatched a try from HOBM giving his side the lead for the first time in the match. The visitors held their lead through strong defence, until eventually HOBM broke the lines and scored two quick tries regaining the lead and pleasing the anxious crowd at the Hutt Rec.

As the game drew to a close and the final whistle was just seconds away it looked as though HOBM had done enough to make the final, until one last charge from the Johnsonville side saw top try scorer Farrand Turner again cross the line, putting the ball underneath the posts with the kick to come. Corey Burt had no trouble adding the extras, giving his side the win and a spot in the final?s. Possession was even for the most part of the match with both teams showing their attacking capabilities. Defence was also an aspect of the game that was impressive with some crunching tackles seen from the sideline. At times the tension became too much for the teams with violent outbursts a frequent occurrence during the match.

The stand out players during the game were Farrand Turner whose running game was unrivalled as he scored two tries and gained countless yards for his side. Left wing Paul Travathan showed his blinding speed gaining precious metres for Johnsonville. HOBM lock Jeremy Thrush stood out for his side jumping well at lineouts, not to mention a brilliant running game, which saw him cross the line.

The results from both games this weekend were unexpected and great to watch with the same forecast for the final next weekend between Oriental-Rongotai and Johnsonville, an unlikely final combination but one that both teams deserved after the games on Sunday.



Hardham Cup Top Point Scorers
Corey Burt (Jville) 175
Jonathon Bentley (HOBM) 126
Mike Kingsbeer (HOBM) 101
Farrand Turner (Jville) 70
Patrick Maguire (OBU) 67
Miah Nikora (Ories) 60
Jonathon Manu (HOBM) 50
Geoff Brown (Poneke) 46
Malakai Kisina (HOBM) 43


Hardham Cup Top Try Scorers
Farrand Turner (Jville) 13
Jonathon Manu (HOBM) 10
Malakai Kisina (HOBM) 10
Lote Raikubula (Ories) 6
Leo Auva?a (HOBM) 6
Roy Kinikinilau (Ories) 5
Mike Te Moana (OBU) 5
Nick Risdon (HOBM) 5
Wilson Filo (HOBM) 5