Norths v Petone: Semi-Final

Defending Jubilee Cup champions Petone seem to have found their best form at the right end of the season and travel to Porirua Park confident they can repeat last year’s 21-20 final win against Northern United. Petone have struck upon a winning formula of late, which saw them overpower Old Boys-University 23-16 last week, in what was a must-win victory, and defeat Norths 16-8 two weeks ago at the Petone Recreation Ground.

Overall the Villagers have won four of their last five games, largely through strong forward play, with their only recent loss coming against Avalon 10-19 in round five. Before that they enjoyed back-to-back home wins against Hutt Old Boys Marist (29-20) and Tawa (29-5). This good form represents a turnaround for Petone, who were inconsistent over the first half of the season, with a leaky defence contributing to a seventh placed finish in the Swindale Shield.

Norths, who won the Shield in style and also led the Cup standings throughout the first five rounds, ended three weeks of wobbly results by beating HOBM 22-10 a week ago. Struggling to adapt to the terrible weather and ground conditions that dominated much of the round-robin phase, Norths lost to Marist St. Pats 10-17 and drew with Poneke 13-13 before losing to Petone.

But Norths have yet to be beaten in nine starts at home this year, and they also beat Petone 42-27 when they met in the Shield round. Expect a torrid battle in the scrums and lineouts between two established forward packs. Norths’ Anthony Perenise and Petone’s Chris Molenaar are two captains that both lead from the front. In the backs, Rob Aloe and Sam Rasch will both look to control the game from first five-eighth, while both sides have speed and experience out wide.