Verney the hero as OBU win Jubilee Cup final in style
It was fitting that Old Boys University second five Regan Verney iced the Bartercard Jubilee Cup final by finishing off a length of the field try at the Petone Recreation Ground.
It wasn't just that Verney was the best player on the park during OBU's 32-19 win over Hutt Old Boys Marist, or that it was one of the tries of the season.
Verney's try was typical of the endeavour and ambition that separted OBU from their finals opponents.
That's no sleight on HOBM who showed the same heart they have all season by digging their way out of a 24-7 first half deficit to push OBU all the way to the finish.
But there was little doubt OBU, the Swindale Shield champions in the first round, were the better side on a day where much of their rugby matched the sparkling sunshine that baked the thousands-strong crowd at the Petone Recreation Ground.
CAPTION: OBU second five Regan Verney fends a Hutt Old Boys Marist defender during the Jubilee Cup final. PHOTO: Getty Sport
OBU co-captain and halfback Tomasi Palu said the win had been the result of six months of hard work and a conscious effort from the players to enjoy the club environment and to play for the right reasons.
"The boys were really focused. I just told them to stay controlled. We've been working hard for six months and this was the main goal to get this Jubilee cup. It was staying level headed and just playing the whole 80.
"It's been about the team culture and understanding how important club rugby is today. I know it's amateur, but it's having that feeling you had at school and making sure rugby comes first and that it's about everyone who is involved at the club."
The 'students' as they are often referred to, played without fear to win the club's second Jubilee Cup after their inaugural victory in 2015.
CAPTION: OBU co-captain's Tomasi Palu (left) and Jonathon Fuimaono lift the Jubilee Cup after beating HOBM in the final. PHOTO: Getty Sport
They ran the ball from the kick off and were rewarded with two tries in the first 10 minutes to wing Teegan Minkley and openside Daven Candy.
HOBM fought back with a try to wing Fereti Soloa, but were reeling when Verney, a former Penrith Panthers rugby league player, sliced through from the kick off and Candy grabbed his second try in less than 10 minutes to make it 17-7.
And when their hooker Stu Simonsen was sinbinned after half an hour OBU didn't blink, but instead followed No.8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas' lead when he decided to burst and off load from his 22.
Verney inevitably popped up to carry on the movement and 80 metres later halfback Tomasi Palu was popping the final pass to Minkley for his second and a 24-7 lead. If Verney provided the zest, Palu provided the calm measure as he guided his side around the park.
CAPTION: OBU openside Daven Candy stretches out for one of his two tries in the Jubilee Cup final. PHOTO: Getty Sport
To HOBM's credit they came back. Second five Brandyn Laursen flew onto a short ball to score under the posts, but it also highlighted his side's weakness as they ignored a five on two overlap out wide and chose to score through the middle.
The second half threw OBU another curve ball when co-captain and tight head prop Jonathan Fuimaono was forced off with injury. HOBM didn't miss the opportunity and big loose head prop Simon Malaeulu showed great body position to burrow over and suddenly it was 24-19 and game on with 20 to play.
OBU first five Dale Sabbagh edged his side further ahead with a penalty and then with five minutes to play Verney's try made sure nobody would forget the 2017 final.
The try was sparked by fullback Jono Ihaka, a threat all day, when he scooted out of his 22 and weaved his way past the half way line. Instead of dying with the ball Ihaka slid under a tackle and off loaded to the everywhere man of the match, Verney, who had enough pace to finish in the corner.
HOBM can reflect on an outstanding season despite the loss. Under co-captain Sheridan Rangihuna and Laursen they put a miserable 2016 behind them to go from Hardham Cup to the Jubilee Cup final. In players like wing Soloa and centre Tomasi Alosio they have talent and their pack showed heart all season.
CAPTION: Hutt Old Boys Marist were a tight team throughout 2017, but fell just short in the Jubilee Cup final. PHOTO: Getty Sport
A gracious Rangihuna said OBU had just been too good in the key moments.
"Credit to OBU they came out firing as they have all year. They were fast in the backs and strong in the forwards and hard to contain across the park. Credit to my boys too though, they never give up and we took them the full 80 and that's all I could ask. It's been a hell of a year so I'm still very proud.
"We lost the key moments. They were down to 14 men at one stage and we still lost that battle I think it was 7-0. Hard to look at the tape after games like this, but we'll get over this and move forward for next year. Credit to OBU they were a great team and deserved to win."
It was OBU's season and OBU's day. Champions for 2017.
Scorers:
Old Boys University 32 (Teegan Minkley 2, Daven Candy 2, Regan Verney tries, Dale Sabbagh 2 con, pen) Hutt Old Boys Marist 19 (Fereti Soloa, Brandyn Laursen, Simon Malaeulu tries, Sheridan Rangihuna 2 con). HT: 24-12
Meanwhile in other finals day results
The Club Finals Day proved a successful one for hosts Petone Rugby Club.
Petone had three teams in the minor finals and each of them delivered on their home ground.
Their premier reserves beat OBU 23-21 to win the title in a match that could have gone to overtime but for a missed conversion in the final minutes.
The Petone Colts won the division one title to lift the John E Kelly Cup with a come from behind 36-29 victory, also over OBU.
And finally, the Petone's women's team won the Division 2 title with a 36-27 win over Paremata-Plimmerton in a match that started with a try to the visitor's sand was not non-stop action throughout.
In the Colts Division 2 final for the Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup the Upper Hutt Rams got home with a dramatic 16-14 win over a Kapiti side who will be rueing two late missed penalties.