Old Boys University and Tawa preparing for Colts final

Old Boys University Green are angling to secure the first round-second round double, while Tawa are hoping to ride on their Premier team's Jubilee Cup success in this Saturday's 2016 Colts Division 1 John E Kelly Cup at Te Whaea.

OBU and Tawa arrive after contrasting semi-final wins last weekend, OBU overwhelming fourth placed qualifier Poneke 55-7 at home at Nairnville Park and Tawa edging out Marist St Pat's 11-8 in a hard-fought Jubilee Cup curtain-raiser at Porirua Park.

This was OBU's eighth straight win in this competition, since their one-point loss to Oriental-Rongotai in early June, while Tawa met MSP in their second successive tight battle. The previous week MSP had come back from a 0-17 deficit to beat Tawa 19-17. In their semi-final re-match scores were all square at 8-8 until a few minutes to play when Tawa kicked the winning penalty.

These two teams have met twice this year, OBU winning 18-10 in their first round match at Te Whaea and again 27-15 at Nairnville in the first weekend of July. Tawa finished runners-up to OBU in the first round Paris Memorial Shield competition.

Neither of these two teams featured in last year's final that saw Hutt Old Boys Marist beat Northern United, but OBU have sent the benchmark in this competition for several seasons and were winners from 2012-2014. In contrast, Tawa have never won this title.

As always, OBU's side features a number of players from outside the region. Their captain is Jack Green, a former Wellington College student. Speaking on behalf of his team Jack said OBU are in for a tough battle.

"It's going to take a full 80 minute performance. Tawa are a quality side and they won't let up so we'll definitely need to push through the whole game," said Jack. "This is the last time we'll ever all play together, and after everything we've been through this year we want to give it one final crack."

"Tawa have got some powerful, hard-working ball runners up front with some quality through the backs. They're a tough match-up."

Focussing on his own team, Jack explained that they've got a good balance of players.

"The mix between experienced heads in the group and some fresher faces is a big bonus for us. A few of the older lads are obviously looked at to set an example having been and done it already, while the younger boys are constantly snapping at our heels. It creates good competition in the squad. There's strength across the whole team. As it's been all year, everyone from 1-22 is going to play a big role in our efforts."

The nucleus of the Tawa Colts squad is local, from the Western Bays catchment area, with many attending local schools. They will be buoyed by their Premiers winning last week's Jubilee Cup final, with many of the Premiers Colts age players and friends away from Lyndhurst Park.

Only five of this year's squad played for this team in 2015, but they have been operating an effective leadership group of four captains this year. Captain for the day on Saturday is Herman Petaia, who said that his side needs to up the ante and turn up with the right attitude if they want to beat the top qualifiers.

"Our team's strength is our culture," Herman explained. "It is a reflection of where the Tawa Rugby Club is at the moment, and it is all about the team. However in saying that we have individual players that are good enough to make a difference hence the reason why they have had a taste of Premier rugby during the season.

Herman said that Tawa will be playing for Premier halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara's father who passed away earlier this week.

"We're playing for the club, ourselves and everyone that have supported us especially our families. However we will acknowledge the passing of Kemara's father one of our Premier players this week by wearing black arm bands and our condolences go out to his family.

About the John E Kelly Memorial Cup

The John E Kelly Memorial Cup was donated to the WRFU by the Wellington Football Club for play in the Under 21 Division 1 Competition in 1985. The trophy is in memory of Wellington's late Club Captain, John E Kelly, who died of cancer. John played and administrated rugby with the Wellington Club for many years and had the privilege of playing alongside his young son.

The past 10 winners have been: 2006 Petone/Norths, 2007 Petone, 2008 Upper Hutt, 2009 Upper Hutt , 2010 Norths, 2011 MSP, 2012 OBU Green, 2013 OBU Green, 2014 OBU Green, 2015 Hutt Old Boys Marist

Match details:

What: John E Kelly Cup Colts Division 1 Final
Where: Te Whaea
Who: Old Boys University Colts v Tawa Colts
When: Saturday 13 August, 1.00pm.