Competition for places in Jubilee Cup heats up
Round 8 of the Swindale Shield kicks off this weekend, with teams coming off a short turnaround following a great day of rugby on Anzac Day. It's a critical weekend for Upper Hutt, Tawa, Poneke and Petone, as competition heats up for final places in the second-round Jubilee Cup.
The Norths v Wainuiomata clash promises to be a physical match as two big packs face-off. However, the match of the round is arguably Ories v Old Boys University which is likely to go to the wire.
The Harper Lock Shield is moving towards the business-end of the tournament. It's a key round for the likes of Tawa, Petone, MSP and Poneke who are looking to emerge out of a congested mid-table.
The Colts Competitions is heading into Round Two, with some excellent match-ups ahead. It'll be a big clash in the Paris Memorial Trophy, as Ories host OBU in a perfect build-up to the Premier game.
Round 4 of the Fleurs Trophy/Division Two Women's competition kicks off, with the match of the round seeing Wainui host Ories.
Swindale Shield
Oriental-Rongotai v Old Boys University
This battle between the competition heavyweights should be epic. Ories showed a lot of heart to comeback against Poneke and they'll need every bit of that hunger against the competition leaders. Ories will rely on halfback Adam Deck to provide direction to his team and the experience of Paulo Aukuso who plays in his 177th Premier club game.
Ories will need to be at their best against OBU, who have been exceptional on attack and defence all season. Watch out for Ian Kennedy, brother of former Hurricane Ross, who has come out of retirement to help out his team.
Marist St Pats v Poneke
Playing for: Horan-Millar Trophy
This is a key game, particularly for Poneke, who will have been disappointed not to have won against Ories. The away side can score plenty of points, but they have struggled to win the tight games this season.
MSP will have been disappointed in the inability to win against HOBM after surrendering a 15-0 lead. Expect a high-scoring, entertaining game at Evans Bay Park. Watch out for Hilton Gibbons who put on a big Anzac Day performance.
Norths v Wainuiomata
Playing for: Alf Keating Memorial Trophy
Expect a close, physical encounter as two in-form teams face off at Porirua Park. The battle between the loose-forwards will be immense. Norths will look to Antony Fox to give them go-forward; while Wainui can rely on their big ball-runners Teru Time and Ben Tupuola.
Expect this one to go to the wire.
Avalon v Tawa
Tawa are holding onto a 6-point advantage over 9th placed Poneke and they'll be aiming for the full 5 points to consolidate their position. Avalon will have it tough against a team who are on a mini resurgence following their slow start to the season. Expect a comfortable victory for the away side.
Petone v Paremata-Plimmerton
Playing for: Ken Gray Cup
Petone cannot afford to slip-up against Paremata-Plimmerton, as they try to keep up the pace with the Top 8.
Much like Poneke, Petone have competed well this season although they haven't managed to win close games.
The home side will be aiming for the full 5 points against a team who struggled earlier this week against a powerful Norths side.
Upper Hutt v Johnsonville
Upper Hutt will also be looking to secure five points against Johnsonville to stay comfortably in the top-8. The home side have been impressive this season with their attacking play. Watch out for their strong centre pairing of Konelio Feanati and Josh Hunt who bagged two tries each against Avalon. Johnsonville will rely on their experienced players to lead by example in this tough encounter.
Hutt Old Boys Marist v Wellington
Wellington will be desperate to win to emerge out of the bottom-half of the table. The away side have impressed at times this season and are a team capable of causing an upset. HOBM were impressive against MSP, with their patient defence and pin-point box kicks. Watch out for Marist fullback Matt Poole who impressed on attack earlier this week.
Colts Competition
In the Paris Memorial Trophy; Upper Hutt host Tawa; Ories face off against OBU, Petone play Norths and MSP host Poneke. The JRD Cup gets off to an early start with OBU Black hosting Paremata-Plmmerton at 7.30 this evening. Tomorrow's afternoon games see Avalon host Kapiti and HOBM playing Wellington.
Women's Competition
The Fleurs Trophy/Division Two competition tables are starting to take shape as we head into the fourth round. This weekend sees Norths host HOBM while Wainui hosts Ories. Based on early form, Norths and Wainui should win both these encounters.
The Division Two sees Petone host Paremata-Plimmerton and Tawa play MSP. Petone and MSP head into these games as favourites based on early season results.
Good luck to all teams involved.
