First round fates at stake this weekend
Several teams could have their calculators out tomorrow afternoon at the conclusion of the penultimate round of matches on many of Wellington’s club competitions.
Up to three first round trophies could be decided this Saturday, a week early before their conclusions.
This includes the Premier Swindale Shield, that can just as easily end up going down to the wire on next Saturday’s final afternoon of the first round.
As it stands, frontrunners Hutt Old Boys Marist will win the Swindale Shield with next week’s last round to spare if they beat third placed Oriental-Rongotai and second placed Norths lose to Marist St Pats at Evans Bay Park.
Similarly, the battle for the ‘top 7’ to play for the Jubilee Cup throughout June and July looks set for a gripping two weeks starting tomorrow.
Radio Sport will have commentary of the Hutt Old Boys Marist v Oriental-Rongotai match at Hutt Recreation Ground on 1503am and Radio Sport Extra on iHeart Radio.
Swindale Shield previews are below.
The other two competitions that could be sewn up tomorrow afternoon are the Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield and the Les Mills Paris Memorial Division 1 Colts.
There is a virtual final in tomorrow’s penultimate Harper Lock Shield fixture at Evans Bay Park between Marist St Pats and Northern United. Unbeaten MSP are the current leaders on 39 points and Norths are on 37. MSP would defend the title if they win, while Norths will be in the box seat with victory. Tawa are on 32 and can clinch third with a bonus point win over Paremata-Plimmerton.
Frontrunners OBU Green defeated MSP 12-10 last Saturday, putting them in prime position to claim the Paris Memorial Trophy. The Junior Goats can beat winless Upper Hutt Rams and win the silverware this weekend if third placed HOBM can also beat MSP or hold them to a draw.
The other two Colts Division 1 matches on Saturday are between mid-table Norths and Petone and between Paremata-Plimmerton and Tawa, who could be playing to avoid relegation should the Rams tip over OBU at Ian Galloway Park.
In Colts Division 2, leaders Oriental-Rongotai have already wrapped up the first round of the JRD Cup and earned promotion for the second round with two weeks to spare, with an 11-point lead over Poneke, and will be favoured to cement their title with a win over Wainuiomata.
The Women’s Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy kicks off tonight with a likely title deciding match at Westpac Stadium between Oriental-Rongotai and Northern United. The winner next week will almost certainly be confirmed from these two unbeaten teams. Third place can still mathematically win or share the title but will need to beat Poneke tomorrow and then OBU next week at a minimum.
The mid-table battle to play in the top tier in the second round is set to heat up this weekend, with four of those teams involved in this situation squaring off against each other. At MacAlister Park, MSP host HOBM and at Ngatitoa Domain, Paremata-Plimmerton entertain Wainuiomata on Tuesday 21 May at 7:00pm. OBU have the bye.
The Upper Hutt Rams and Avalon are the two unbeaten teams at the head of the U85kg JC Bowl competition heading into tomorrow’s sixth round. The Rams play fifth placed Johnsonville at Maoribank Park and Avalon host the Wests Roosters at Fraser Park.
Meanwhile, the Thompson Memorial Trophy First Grade sees an early season local derby between two unbeaten sides at Delaney Park between Stokes Valley and Avalon. Defending champions the HOBM Barbarians play OBU at Hutt Rec and MSP play Norths at Evans Bay Park in the other game.
Hutt Old Boys Marist v Oriental-Rongotai
Venue: Hutt Recreation Ground
Referee: Daniel Mangin
In all likelihood the Eagles will win the Swindale Shield for the first time since 2015 if they defeat Ories. HOBM extended their winning streak to eight when they beat Johnsonville by 50-14. Glen Walters scored 20 points and he again links up in the inside backs with Sheridan Rangihuna after the latter was rested against Johnsonville. No. 8 Lise Soloa remains on the injury bench for the second week however.
Ories had their four game win streak snapped by Wainuiomata, blanked for the first time since 2008.
Ories will improve, but will it be enough to stop HOBM?
The two teams also play for the Bondy Memorial Cup, after the late Ories stalwart who passed away just prior to Ories’ 2011 Jubilee Cup triumph.
Petone v Avalon
Venue: Petone Rec
Referee: Richard Gordon
Petone overpowered Wellington 58-24 in Round 8 to stay inside the top seven. Jacob Gooch and Sam Blackburn each contributed two tries.
Avalon were beaten 14-43 by Tawa and are consigned to the Hardham Cup. This is a game Petone should win, but last year the Wolves stunned MSP when in a lowly position on the table while the Villagers finished eighth failing to gain a point in their last three games. Similarly, Avalon always get up for this game against Petone and they won 8-6 three years ago at Petone.
Petone halfback Logan Henry is the leading points scorer in the Swindale Shield with 77 points.
Avalon have won two games in 2019, but can they beat Petone for the Morgan Family Trophy?
Upper Hutt Rams v Johnsonville
Venue: Maoribank Park
Referee: Ben Brownlie
Both sides are playing Hardham Cup after losses last Saturday.
Upper Hutt’s form isn’t that bleak, achieving three wins in 2019. Konelio Feaunati was a shining light against Norths scoring two tries. Daniel Schrijvers starts his 50th game for the Rams at blindside flanker, while last year’s St Pat’s Silverstream tighthead prop Luke Chisholm is one of two Rams making their first starts.
Johnsonville have named a settled side that pushed HOBM last week, with Jacob Walmsley again lining up at first five-eighth.
Marist St Pats v Northern United
Venue: Evans Bay Park
Referee: Ben Woolerton
Last year Norths sealed their Swindale Shield championship success topping MSP 64-36 at Jerry Collins Stadium. Norths were four unanswered tries ahead after the opening quarter.
If MSP repeat that nightmare start they will be playing in the Hardham Cup. Despite two wins on the trot, MSP remains four points outside the top seven. That is the situation for their supporters on their Old Timers’ Day tomorrow.
Tom Horan and Billy Proctor caught fire for MSP last week each scoring two tries, while they will also look to their front row of Vince Sakaria, Valnetine Meachen and Tietie Tuimauga to build a winning platform up front.
If HOBM stumble to Ories, Norths have a chance to retain the Swindale Shield. Norths have scored more tries (52) than any other club this season.
Dudley Parsons was a standout in the 48-22 victory against Upper Hutt collecting 18 points with two tries. He starts again in the 10 jersey, with Jackson Garden-Bachop returning to the side on the bench.
This match is also for the Maurice Standish Cup after the former MSP openside flanker.
Old Boys University v Wainuiomata
Venue: Nairnville Park
Referee: Ryan Borthwick
Both sides produced season best displays last weekend to stay in the Jubilee Cup hunt. Wainuiomata defeated Ories 27-0 with Peter Umaga-Jensen celebrating a double while OBU pumped Poneke 41-13 outscoring their hosts six tries to one.
Wainui beat OBU 22-20 in 2018, despite playing Hardham Cup.
Wainui lock Bevan Clark celebrates his 100th game.
The scrum battle between in-form Anthony Mamea and the evergreen Finnbarr Kerr-Newell is set to be a highlight in this Peter Dunford Cup.
Paremata-Plimmerton v Tawa
Venue: Ngatitoa Domain
Referee: John Ballingall
Tawa are three points adrift of the top eight with two rounds left and finish with Paremata-Plimmerton and Wellington. Tawa have scored 42 tries this year, the third most of any team. They will be baking on their scoring prowess to gain ten points in the last fortnight and a place in the Jubilee.
Teariki Kie Tonga has played every game for Pare-Plim this season and will need to help carry his team’s effort against Tawa’s strong front row unit. For Tawa, Hemi Fermanis is missing from their line-up but veteran Telea Seumanutafa returns to the side at lock in his stead.
Poneke v Wellington
Venue: Kilbirnie Park
Referee: Jamie Fairmaid
Old Timers’ Day at Kilbirnie Park sees Poneke smarting from their biggest loss of the season and in need of victory to confirm a place in the Jubilee Cup, and even then are not totally safe to make the top seven.
Wellington have shown an ability to score tries, averaging almost four a game, but their defence is a concern.
Watch for both midfield backs Eremia Tapsell (Wellington) and Levi Harmon (Poneke).
Poneke have converted 12 of 31 conversions, but have kicked the second most penalties of any team in the competition, a tribute to the excellence of their loose forwards perhaps. Galu Taufale, Api Mcmillan-parata and Greg Foe wear the 6, 7 and 8 jerseys respectively tomorrow.
These teams play for the Spud Lindsay Memorial Trophy.