Thrilling win earns MSP home semi-final
Jubilee Cup
Following today’s results, we can now confirm next week’s semi-final fixtures:
Semi-final One: OBU v Tawa
Semi-final Two: MSP v HOBM
MSP’s win against OBU today has given them home advantage for next week’s semi-final against HOBM. Despite today’s loss, OBU will host the other semi-final against Tawa.
HOBM will head into the semi-finals with confidence, following a 13-10 win against Tawa today. It’s also been a thrilling finish at Porirua Park, where Norths edged Wainui 34-33. Finally, Ories beat Petone 19-12.
Extended Feature Game: MSP 22- 21 OBU
A try in the final moments allowed MSP to sneak past OBU in a thriller at Evans Bay Park. Just when it seemed OBU had control, a tight-head led to a try that sealed the match.
OBU were quickest off the mark. A well-timed pass to Teegan Minkley gave him the space to score in the corner. MSP responded quickly with a Fa’atonu Fili penalty.
Playing against a stiff southerly, OBU ran straight and hard allowing them to dominate possession and territory. The pressure took its toll, when Minkley weaved his way through tired defence to score his second try. A further penalty by Sabbagh increased his side’s lead to 9.
Slightly against the run of play, MSP responded with a great try. Off the kick off, impressive second-five Isaia Petelo regathered the ball and powered forward. Off front-front ball, winger Ryan Saunders ran a perfect line to score near the posts. At the break, OBU’s lead was reduced to two points.
Kicking in tough conditions, Sabbagh managed to convert two early penalties to give his side an 18-10 advantage.
OBU continued where they left off, playing smart rugby and utilising their big forward pack to dominate possession and territory. For long periods, MSP simply could not get out of their danger zone against a strong cross-wind.
MSP did eventually get up the field and converted one of their few opportunities. After concerted pressure, lock Nick Harrison barged over near the posts to reduce OBU lead to one point.
OBU responded quickly, with another impressive Sabbagh penalty. However, MSP were not done with yet. A huge scrum earnt them a tighthead near the line. After bashing away at the defence, MSP eventually crashed over the line. All of sudden, the home side led for the first time in the match.
However, a charge down on the conversion left the lid ajar for a late OBU comeback. With moments remaining and trailing by one point, OBU were awarded a penalty near the halfway mark. With the wind to his back, Sabbagh struck the penalty well but it shaded the uprights.
MSP deserve credit for converting their opportunities and showing plenty of fight to stay in the match. OBU will be disappointed not to have converted more of their opportunities.
A key turning point came when MSP subbed on a reserve prop, whose immense power gave his side critical go-forward at scrum time.
Premier Reserves- Ed Chaney Cup
Petone have beaten Ories 46-17 and MSP have narrowly beaten OBU 24-17. Finally, Tawa have beaten HOBM 18-16.
We can now confirm next week’s semi-finals for the reserve competition:
Semi-final One: OBU v MSP
Semi-final Two: Tawa v Petone
Hardham Cup
It’s a stalemate between Poneke and Johnsonville 15-all. The Upper Hutt Rams have comfortably beaten Wellington 49-17 and Paremata-Plimmerton have won 40-5 against Avalon. The competition is really starting to heat up at the business-end.
Women’s Rugby
In today’s Victoria Tavern Trophy results, Ories have convincingly beaten OBU 62-10 and Wainui have beaten MSP 27-19. The Semi-finals next weekend are:
Semi-final One: Oriental-Rongotai v Marist St Pats
Semi-final Two: Northern United v Old Boys University
In the Senior Women’s grade, Petone continue their dominance with a 94-0 thrashing of Tawa and Paremata-Plimmerton have beaten HOBM 15-12. The semi-finals next weekend are:
Semi-final One: Petone v Hutt Old Boys Marist
Semi-final Two: Poneke v Paremata-Plimmerton
Colts Competition
In the Les Mills John E Kelly Memorial Cup, Ories have produced a big result- beating Petone 25-24 while OBU beat MSP 31-15. In other matches, HOBM edged Tawa 22-20 and Norths narrowly beat Paremata-Plimmerton 13-12.
We can now confirm next week’s semi-finals for the John E Kelly Memorial Cup:
Semi-final One: Ories v OBU
Semi-final Two: Petone v Tawa
In the Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup, Poneke have thrashed Wellington 55-7 and Wainui have edged Kapiti 13-12. Finally, Johnsonville have beaten Avalon 26-19.
We can now confirm next week’s semi-finals for the Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup:
Semi-final One: Upper Hutt Rams v Wainuiomata
Semi-Final Two: Kapiti v Poneke
