OBU celebrate Simonsen’s 100th with a nail-biting victory
Jubilee Cup
Reigning Jubilee Cup Champions Tawa are returning to form at the right time, after producing another great performance to beat Petone 30-20. Wainui and MSP have shared the points in a 24-all thriller at William Jones Park. Finally, Norths have kept their season alive with a 48-29 victory against HOBM. Finally, in our feature game OBU returned to winning ways after beating Ories.
Extended Feature Game: Old Boys University 39- Oriental-Rongotai 24
OBU have withstood a late Ories fightback to gain a crucial victory and stay on top of the table. A late Dale Sabbagh penalty and try to Finnbarr Kerr-Newell secured the result, after two second-half Ories tries set up a thrilling finish.
Ories were quickest off the mark, after winger Malachai Unasa regathered a perfectly-weighted Malo Tuitama chip kick to score in the corner. Unfortunately, Unasa injured himself in the process and was forced off the field.
OBU responded quickly, when Gavin Parker sliced through the defence before sending a well-timed pass to Sam Reid who scored in the corner.
The competition-leaders were not done with yet. Firstly, lock Ian Kennedy scored after an impressive driving maul. Shortly after, an Ories handling error allowed Te Wehi Wright to sprint down the sideline, before chipping ahead for Parker to regather and score. All of a sudden, OBU led 19-5.
Ories refused to give in and a bullocking run from Alex Fidow gave them go-forward. Off the proceeding ruck, Hayden Whelan weaved his way through the defence to score.
There was a bit of controversy before halftime, when Malo Tuitama got yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle. The tackle did appear high although unintentional. There was no shortage of lively debate on the banks! Ories did well to hold out until halftime with a 7-point deficit.
OBU held the majority of possession and territory early in the second-half. The pressure eventually took its toll, after Wright scored off a cutting line-break. Leading 26-12, OBU appeared to have the match under control.
The match burst into life midway through the second-half, after Paulo Aukuso smashed his way through the defence and burst up-field. Flanker William Heather continued the momentum with a charging run, before Aukuso eventually scored.
OBU regained the ascendency, after Sabbagh converted a drop goal to give his side a 12-point buffer. Again, Ories refused to give in. A storming run from Aukuso, set up another Ories try under the posts. OBU's lead was reduced to 5 points, setting up a nail-biting finish.
The match ended with a big round of applause for Stu Simonsen, who played his 100th Premier match for the Goats.
The crowd also appreciated seeing former Highlander Trent Renata play his first game for Ories, after recently being signed up by the Wellington Lions.
Hardham Cup
In a big result, Johnsonville have beaten Upper Hutt 28-26 in a thriller. This is a significant result for the Hawks, who are now competition leaders. In other results, Wellington beat Paremata-Plimmerton 36-17 and Poneke beat Avalon 53-31.
Premier Reserve
In the Ed Chaney Cup, OBU have beaten Ories 48-40 in a high-scorer. In other results, Norths beat HOBM 36-15 and Tawa beat Petone 43-24. Finally, MSP won against Wainui 24-21.
Women's Rugby
In today's Victoria Tavern Trophy results, Ories have thrashed Norths 57-17. This reinforces Ories dominance, in a match that was expected to be much closer. Finally, OBU have narrowly beaten MSP 29-28.
In the second division, Petone have beaten Paremata-Plimmerton 40-27.
Colts Competition
In the Les Mills John E Kelly Memorial Cup, Tawa have handed hot favourites Petone 31-27, HOBM beat Norths 24-18, MSP beat Pare-Plim 34-32, and OBU beat Ories 24-15.
In the Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup, the Upper Hutt Rams have beaten Johnsonville 29-3 and Kapiti have thrashed Avalon 43-7.
