All grades gearing up for a tight race at the top of the standings tables
Halfway through the Swindale Shield, it appears it will be a six-horse race for the semi-finals unless some clubs in the bottom half of the table can find greater consistency starting in round eight matches tomorrow.
Hutt Old Boys Marist have led for parts of every match this season, but three losses see the 2019 Swindale Shield champions three points adrift of the top four.
On Saturday, the Eagles host top of the table Marist St Pats for the longstanding Father Clearly Shield. Hulking tighthead prop Rei Manaia celebrates his 100th match and along with the rest of the pack featuring former Sunwolves and Auckland loosehead Jarred Adams on debut will have to bring plenty of mongrel to stop an MSP side averaging six tries a match.
MSP forwards Tom Martin, Tom Horan and James Tuia are in rampant form while Aidan Morgan is expected to return at first-five after his break.
Eagles second-five Brayden Laursen is the leading try scorer, centre Tomasi Alosio has scored four tries in the last two games and Salesi Rayasi returns on the left wing. If HOBM's forwards last the distance this will be a cracker.
The Jimmy Grbich Memorial Shield is another historic rivalry and both Poneke and Ories need a victory to keep their semi-finals hopes alive. Ories extended Petone in a thriller, a late try resulting in two bonus points. Poneke slumped to a 15-10 defeat at Upper Hutt. Ben Huntley and Ethan Webster-Nonu are at opposite ends of the age spectrum so their midfield duel will create intrigue, but this will be decided by the more durable forward pack. Both sides are struggling with injuries, but Ories are set to welcome back former All Black Julian Savea to their side.
Tawa are struggling to score tries, denied in consecutive games. The Johnsonville Hawks, through the efforts of Bodene Davis, Ofa Ueseli and PJ Sheck in-particular, are showing greater backbone. Luke Cummings replaced Trent Renata at first-five last week which is a change in the Tawa backline, but more polish at set-piece will be required to repeat the 70-point success of last year.
Avalon were thrashed by MSP and will aim to contain an OBU side who won impressively at Lyndhurst Park. Shamus Hurley-Langton has scored half a dozen tries, while Callum Harkin and Dale Sabbagh are combining strongly at first and second five. Nando Pepa is a promising halfback for the Wolves who simply must show more heart than they did last Friday.
Wainuiomata were similarly humbled by Norths and will have to work hard to get their season back on track against Paremata-Plimmerton. Wainuiomata are really struggling in the injury department while Paremata-Plimmerton managed three tries against the Eagles. Wainuiomata have only outscored Paremata-Plimmerton 17 tries to 15 which suggests this could be tight. Justin Wilson and Taisson Lealaisalanoa are having a fine season for Paremata-Plimmerton. TJ Va’a has been back at first-five for Wainuiomata and is making a decent fist of things, while Josh Robertson-Weepu at fullback will add plenty.
Petone have made a habit of winning close games, four in a row by eight points or less. The Villagers will fancy their chances of a big win against Wellington and with Upper Hutt to follow, theycould be on the cusp of the semi-finals at the end of week nine. Wellington battled past Johnsonville but had an unsettled backline with Will Cosgriff having played everywhere except centre. Watch for Brendan Gard’ner and Iona Apineru in the loose and Issac Bracewell and Cam Ferriera at halfback, with regular Petone scrumhalf Logan Henry dropping to fullback tomorrow.
Norths scored nine unanswered tries in the Jubilee Cup final replay against Wainuiomata. Sam Clarke scored 24 points in an impressive display at first-five. Norths forwards should have too much firepower for Upper Hutt, but the Rams had a fine 15-10 win against Poneke. Daniel Schrijvers has been a successful convert to centre and the Upper Hutt loose forwards were the measure of the street kids impressive trio.
Northern United could be favoured to extend their winning run in the Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield by overcoming 10th placed Stokes Valley at Delaney Park, but second placed Marist St Pats will likely be pushed hard by fourth-equal placed HOBM in the Father Cleary Shield curtain-raiser at the Hutt Rec. Both sides mopped up minnows last Saturday so will be primed for a tough match.
It's also third versus fourth in another game, where home side Poneke host Ories at Kilbirnie Park in what could prove to be a key game for the Premier Reserve competition's race to the semi-finals. Tawa will hope for 5 points over Johnsonville, OBU the same over Avalon and Petone Blue off Petone White, giving these three teams places at or close to the top four. Wainuiomata can climb off the bottom if they beat Paremata-Plimmerton in the early game at William Jones Park.
By virtue of their respective bonus point wins last week, Ories and Norths have ensured their match in next Saturday's final round will be the decider for the Premier Women's silverware.
Both will be polishing their patterns this Saturday against two teams vying for the third placed prize, with Ories traveling across the harbour to play the Petone Ponies and Norths hosting Marist St Pats at Jerry Collins Stadium.
HOBM could be third after this weekend if they beat Poneke at home at the Hutt Rec, while Paremata-Plimmerton and the OBU Impalas meet in the fourth match. All Women's games kick-off at 11.30am.
The Colts Paris Memorial Cup competition sees three teams out in front at present, heading into this weekend's seventh round set of matches. Norths White are the leaders, but could be leapfrogged into third by both OBU Green and Petone Blue.
Norths Blue, Tawa, HOBM Green and the Upper Hutt Rams lead the chasing group. Tawa host Johnvonville, HOBM host Poneke and the Rams welcome Norths Blue on to Maoribank Park for their 1.00pm kick-off.
The Upper Hutt Rams and Eastbourne meet on the latter's Old Timers' Day at HW Shortt Park in a top-of-the-table fixture in the U85kg JC Bowl. The Rams will be gunning for their sixth straight bonus point win, while the seasiders their fifth win in seven contests thus far.
Last year's U85kg champions the Avalon Wolves can leapfrog the OBU Scallywags into third place if they beat the Wests Roosters at Ian Galloway Park, whilst Wellington play MSP on Kilbirnie Park 3 and Poneke play the HOBM Howlers alongside them on Kilbirnie 2.
The Reserve Grade Mike Copeland Cup, Ories and the Upper Hutt Rams J8s will look to march to their seventh straight bonus point wins on Saturday, with Ories hosting mid-table the Wellington Axemen at the Polo Ground at 1.00pm and the J8s looking to overcome lower ranked side the OBU 69ers at Maidstone 2 at 2.45pm.
Third placed the Paremata-Plimmerton Punters can stay in touch if they beat Stokes Valley at Ngatitoa Domain 1 at 2.45pm and fourth placed Poneke Ruffnuts are away to the OBU Pink Ginners at Nairnville at 2.45pm. Other Reserve Grade games see the OBU Teddy Bears and the OBU Righteous Pack meeting on Boyd Wilson tonight, the UH Pirates and the MSP Internationals clash on Maoribank 1 at 2.45pm, alongside the UH Thirsty Rams and Wests Mixed Veges on Maoribank 2.