Big weekend of Easter club rugby for Wellington’s teams

it's a big weekend of club rugby around Wellington this Easter, with Hutt Old Boys Marist, the Avalon Wolves and Tawa hoping to win their third straight matches to start the season and the Upper Hutt Rams, Johnsonville and Paremata-Plimmerton eyeing up their first victories for 2018 in the Premier Swindale Shield.

The first Premier and Premier Reserve matches of the third round were played on Thursday night at Porirua Park, where Northern United's top two teams took bonus point victories over their Wellington Axemen counterparts. Norths pulled clear in the second halves of both fixtures, winning 62-12 in the Harper Lock Shield fixture and then 33-8 in the Swindale Shield game.

Previewing the remainder of the round this Easter weekend below. 

Avalon v Old Boys University
Referee: Steve Newson
Venue: Fraser Park

Avalon have won two matches in a row to start a season for the first time in many years. Are the Wolves contenders or pretenders? That question could be resolved by the Jubilee Cup Champions who are smarting after a shock loss to Wainuiomata last Saturday. The Goats outscored Wainuiomata three tries to one, but were left to rue ill-discipline. Avalon held their nerve in week one against Wainuiomata and punished a poor Johnsonville outfit 34-10 in week two. Sefo Aumua was in fine form for Avalon last Saturday scoring two tries. His clash against Lions No.8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas will be a highlight. Chris Aumua (Avalon) and Tai Neli (OBU) are two rookie wingers making a big impression.

Upper Hutt Rams v Petone
Referee: Colin Te Pohe
Venue: Maidstone Park

Upper Hutt are the Hardham Cup champions and might be defending their trophy if they slump to another defeat this Saturday. The Rams have underwhelmed leaking 75 points in two games. Petone are 1-1, winning 55-0 against Paremata-Plimmerton six days ago. Petone scored nine tries, but struggled with their discipline. Rams Lock Jamie Norman is back and finding his feet. His tussle with Jack Ross will be intriguing. Petone fullback Adam Simpson bagged an impressive hat-trick last Saturday. These teams play for the Ted Connolly Cup, first contested in 1969.

Paremata-Plimmerton v Johnsonville
Venue: Ngatitoa Domain
Referee: Jamie Fairmaid

This should be a willing bottom of the table clash. Paremata-Plimmerton haven’t scored a try this season, but had some positive moments against Petone. Johnsonville won eight games in the Hardman Cup in 2017 and entered this season with promise, so far failing to deliver with defeats to two of those bottom eight sides, Wellington and Avalon. Johnsonville beat Paremata-Plimmerton three times last year. Paremata-Plimmerton’s openside Shane Hedges has been tigerish this season. Johnsonville at their best boast a sturdy pack. Lock Eamonn Carr has been solid.

Oriental-Rongotai v Hutt Old Boys Marist
Referee: Mike Pinfold
Venue: Polo Ground

Ories were made to pay for a slow start against Tawa last week, while the Eagles have flown out of the gate in their first two matches. Hutt are a polished team. Hurricane Chase Tiatia scored two tries against Norths, whileNo.8 Lise Soloa and flanker Jordan Gillies have been full of hustle and bustle. Ories roared back against Tawa, but need a more polished start. Wellington Lion Malo Tuitama was threatening at Lyndhurst Park. This is for the Bondy Memorial Cup after Ories life member Don Bond, first played for in 2012. HOBM won this 42-13 last year.

Tawav Poneke
Referee: Daniel Mangin
Venue: Lyndhurst Park

Poneke broke their duck against the Upper Hutt Rams last Saturday after losing by 45 points to OBU in round one, but will have to step up again to topple Tawa. James So’oialo scored 24 points for Tawa last weekend as their forwards delivered good ball when it counted. Prop Hennie Tui scored two tries for Poneke and will be a key figure in the scrum where Tawa will look to impose themselves. Tawa are also hard for any side to beat at home so a tough task for the visitors.

Wainuiomata v Marist St Pat’s 
Referee: Vincent Ringrose
Venue: William Jones Park

Justin Wilson scored all 22 points for Wainuiomata in their upset of OBU last Saturday. Typically matches against MSP are tight so Wilson will have to be on target again with his goal kicking. Wainuiomata boast strength up front and the evergreen former Samoan 7s exponent Uale Mai and John Monu have combined well in the halves. Isaiah Mamea was a big presence in Wainuiomata’s midfield against OBU, so MSP openside James Tuia will be a key figure in trying to contain big Ben Tupuola while Matt Peni has started the season vibrantly. These teams play for the Rona-Morrissey Cup.Cliff Rona played Premier rugby for Marist St Pats from 1972 to 1982 and for Wainuiomata in 1984.John Morrisey is a long-serving Wainuiomata administrator and also played for the former Marist Bros Old Boys Club. MSP won this one 42-40 last year.

Harper Lock Shield

Heading into the third round, Northern United, Marist St Pat’s and Poneke were all unbeaten after the opening fortnight of Premeir Reserve fixtures. All three can establish a foothold at the top of the standings if they taste victory in the third round.

Norths earned their third consecutive bonus point win on Thursday night against Wellington, consigning the Axemen to their second defeat in three appearances thus far. 

Marist St Pat’s are coming off a 53-17 win over Wellington and they meet so far winless Wainuiomata in the early game at William Jones Park, while Poneke plays Tawa at Lyndhurst Park, after wins over OBU (55-19) and the Rams (29-19). Avalon and OBU meet with a win and a loss so far, Ories (W,L) meet winless HOBM, and winless Paremata-Plimmerton host Johnsonville (W,L).

All Harper Lock Shield matches on Saturday precede the Swindale Shield matches that follow, kick-offs at 1.00pm.