Courage Under Fire Sees Upper Hutt Edge Out Norths

Round 5 Review Upper Hutt moved from pretenders to contenders with a gutsy win over Northern United in their round five Swindale Shield clash at a packed Maidstone Park. Holding a 10-5 halftime lead Upper Hutt repelled Norths throughout a scoreless second half to move to the top of the table.

Marist St. Pats moved to third on the points ladder with a hard fought win over Avalon at Rugby League Park, while Western Suburbs continued their resurgence in beating Hutt Old Boys Marist at the Hutt Recreation Ground. Petone, Poneke and Tawa all had important wins against Johnsonville, Oriental-Rongotai and Old Boys-University, creating a crowded points table as the competition nears the halfway mark.

It was one-way traffic at this week?s feature game at the Petone Recreation ground, where the home side were comfortable four tries to one winners over Johnsonville. First five-eighth Riki Flutey was the key protagonist for Petone with a direct hand in three tries and he also helped set up the other. Flutey also kicked three penalties and three conversions and his influence was the difference between the two sides.

Johnsonville started strongly, and through their committed forwards looked to thwart Petone, particularly behind the advantage line. First five-eighth Corey Burt put Johnsonville ahead 3-0 with an early penalty. Petone soon found space though and Flutey replied with penalties in the 23rd and 35th minutes.

This pressure paid off for Petone when Flutey attacked left from a scrum 50 metres out, fed his outside backs and veteran left wing Alex Telea scored in the corner. Flutey converted from wide out and the Villagers opened up a 13-3 lead. However Burt went deep with the kick-off and following an attacking scrum centre Jade Gardiner strolled through some weak defence to strike back for Johnsonville on halftime.

The first 15 minutes of the second spell were the Riki Flutey show. He kicked two penalties and helped to orchestrate two further tries, and suddenly at 28-10 the game was won for the Villagers. First Flutey put centre August Collins in for a try with a deft pass near the line, then he glided through a gap 45 metres out and set fullback Corey Smith up with a try in the corner.

When hooker Eugene Smith scored Petone?s fourth try five minutes later, after a Flutey chip-and-chase had put Johnsonville?s cover defence under pressure, Johnsonville were reeling. To their credit though Johnsonville made all the running in the final period of the game, but couldn?t narrow the 35-10 scoreline.

Up the valley the sun shone on Upper Hutt, as they ended Norths? 11-game winning streak, which had started in round three of last year?s Jubilee Cup. Upper Hutt?s win was built around a tremendous forward effort, particularly through their powerful scrum. Norths held a 5-3 lead late in the first half, before Upper Hutt fullback Cory Jane scored what proved to be the winning converted try on halftime.

Meanwhile, OBU were left wondering what they need to do to win, after Tawa eclipsed them in the dying moments of their clash. OBU raced to a 20-0 halftime lead, but aided by a strong wind at the Basin Reserve Tawa stormed back and eclipsed OBU. First five-eighth Scott Leighton?s boot was the difference between Wests and HOBM. Both sides scored a converted try apiece, but Leighton?s four penalties gave the Roosters the win. Brad Cooper kicked 17 points for Poneke in his side?s must-win victory over Ories at Kilbirnie Park, while Avalon will rue missed chances in their loss to MSP.

Steven White

Swindale Shield top points scorers (after five rounds):

72 Scott Leighton (Wests)
57 Riki Flutey (Petone)
45 Brad Cooper (Poneke)
44 Cory Aporo (Upper Hutt)
42 Fa?atonu Fili (MSP)
38 Willie Lafaele (Tawa)
33 Peato Lafaele (Norths)
33 Corey Burt (Jville)
30 Jonathan Bentley (HOBM)
28 Rob Aloe (Norths)
27 Sam Rasch (MSP)

Swindale Shield top try scorers (after five rounds):

4 Vila Apu?ula (Avalon)
4 Shaun O?Conner (Poneke)
4 Siaosi Anamani (Norths)
3 Misiluni Moananu (Poneke)
3 Roy Kinikinilau (Ories)
3 Willie Moala (Petone)
3 Peato Lafaele (Norths)
3 Fraser Tane (Upper Hutt)
3 Hirini Robin (Tawa)
3 Jonathan Manu (HOBM)
3 Kane Thompson (Wests)

27 players with two tries
66 players with one try