Extremely tight finish this weekend
This weekend's round of Club Rugby could be one of the closest in history, with a couple of upset results.
Bartercard Jubilee Cup
Old Boys University v Hutt Old Boys Marist
Before a ball was kicked we knew this match was going to be a close one. With two of the best attacking teams, and the two teams who are most prepared to throw the ball around in any conditions it was to be anyones game.
OBU got off to a flying start to lead 19-0 at the break and it threatened to be all one way traffic again in the second. However it was a true match of two halves with HOBM fighting their way back into the game at 19-14.
With less than five to go and having just scored their second try, HOBM crashed over immediately to close the margin to 19-17. Unfortunatley Rangihuna's conversion attempt fell agonisingly short.
HOBM then rallied from the kick-off to return the ball back to the OBU 22, and after 20+ phases couldn't get across the line. Eventually OBU won possession to secure the match 19-17.
Marist St Pats v Tawa
In see-saw battle Tawa has prevailed to beat Marist St Pats 30-29. A late Tawa try enough to secure them the win, however Andrew Wells did have the chance to claim the win with a long range penalty in referees time. The kick unfortunately missed, however MSP reclaimed the ball from the 22 drop-out and rallied up field. After numerous phases Tawa won the ball and promptly kicked it out to claim the win.
Petone v Wainuiomata
In another tight one Wainuiomata have come from a try down to beat Petone 10-8. In what has been described as a tussle, Wainui's big forwards managed to close out the game and keep Petone's youthful backline in check.
Oriental-Rongotai v Northern United
Ories have scrapped together a scrappy win to beat Northern United 13-10 on a muddy Polo Ground. Reports from the match suggest that Norths should have comfortably won with all the territory and posession they had, but Ories are a resolute team defensively and managed to close out the match.
Hardham Cup
Johnsonville v Avalon
Johnsonville have won their third match in a row beating Avalon 25-19. Johnsonville were well in contro; of the game, but a solid fightback from Avalon restored some pride. Keep an eye out for Johnsonville in the remaining Hardham Cup rounds, they are starting to get wins when it matters.
Upper Hutt Rams v Paremata-Plimmerton
Upper Hutt Rams have won comfortably against a struggling Paremata-Plimmerton side 38-5 to maintain their lead at the top of the Hardham Cup standings.
Poneke v Wellington
After a slow start and early try to Wellington's Olly Sapsford, Poneke have rallied to win 20-8 with Pakai Turia guiding Poneke around the park.
Premier Reserve
In the Ed Chaney Cup matches Petone beat Wainuiomata 21-17, MSP beat Tawa 18-12, Norths beat Ories 17-0 and OBU beat HOBM 32-24.
In the HD Morgan Memorial Cup matches Johnsonville beat Avalon 19-10, Upper Hutt Rams beat Pare-Plim 48-0, and Poneke beat Wellington 48-10.
Women's Rugby
With competition leaders Ories having the break Norths had the opportunity to close the gap on the points table. A 34-10 win over MSP helped this. In the other Division One match OBU beat Wainuiomata 25-10.
In the Division Two matches; Petone beat neighbours HOBM 14-5, and Poneke beat Pare-Plim 20-10.
Colts
Petone flexed their muscles against newly promoted Division Two winners to win 64-0. In other matches OBU Green beat HOBM 20-3 and Tawa beat MSP 32-22. Ories won by default over Northern United.
In Division Two, Upper Hutt Rams beat Wellington 25-3, Poneke beat Avalon 27-14 and Kapiti beat Johnsonville 8. the OBU Black match against Wellington hadn't finished when this article was written.
Under 85kg
Only the First Division played this weekend due to the weather. In these matches newly promoted Kapiti beat Tawa 8-7 in an upset. Other results saw HOBM beat Poneke 20-7, Avalon beat Jville 32-12, and Wellington beat Eastbourne 17-12.
