Wells penalty sinks Ories hearts
It's been a great day of rugby, with plenty of tries in great conditions across Wellington.
Jubilee Cup
Old Boys University continue their dominant start, after beating Petone 72-12. The Goats continually sliced through Petone's defence, with openside Daven Candy securing a hat-trick.
Hutt Old Boys Marist have also secured a big win, after comfortably beating Wainuiomata 36-14. There has also been a couple of nail-biting games, as Tawa edge Norths 30-26 and MSP beat Ories 33-31 in our feature game.
Extended Feature Game: Marist St Pats 33- Ories 31
Andrew Wells has converted a long-range penalty to secure MSP's second consecutive win. It was a tough pill to swallow for Ories, who had taken the lead moments earlier after a brilliant try from Malo Tuitama.
Ories dominated early possession although failed to turn pressure into points. Against the run of play, MSP's Mike Buckley scored an intercept try to open the scoring.
The away side quickly responded, after centre Tuitama weaved his way through the defence to score. MSP responded quickly, after Mike Buckley sliced through and offloaded to Dudley Parsons to score. Marist St Pats then converted a penalty to increase their lead to 15-7.
Ories kept the tries flowing, after winger Tuga Mativa intercepted a pass and sprinted down the line to score. A late penalty gave MSP an 18-12 halftime lead.
The try of the game came moments into the second-half. Impressive Ories second-five Aukuso Tuitama broke the line from his own 22, before offloading to his brother Malo, who showed great pace, offloading back to Aukuso who scored. MSP's lead was reduced to a single point.
MSP did not let Ories gather momentum and were awarded a penalty try after the away side infringed in the maul. An automatic 7 points gave MSP an 8-point cushion although Ories would not give in. After concerted pressure, Adam Deck burrowed his way under defenders to score.
Marist St Pats replied again, after lock Nick Harrison crashed over the line. However, a missed conversion kept Ories within one scoring play and they took full advantage. Off a scrum, Malo Tuitama ran a perfect inside line to score his second try. With just over ten minutes to go, Ories led 31-30.
Marist St Pats kept their composure and Wells's penalty ensures they maintain their unbeaten record in the Jubilee Cup.
Hardham Cup
Avalon have secured a 21-15 win against Paremata-Plimmerton, to celebrate Scott Waldrom's 100th Premier match and Old Timers Day. Upper Hutt continue their strong start, with a dominant 33-11 victory against the Axeman. Finally, Johnsonville have secured a major result for the improving club, with an upset 27-14 win against Poneke.
Premier Reserve
In the Ed Chaney Cup, Hutt Old Boys Marist have beaten Wainui 46-22; while MSP thrashed Ories 81-19. Finally, OBU have won against Petone 33-19.
Women's Rugby
Ories momentum continues, with a 35-5 win against OBU. MSP have also edged Wainui 34-26. In the second division, HOBM have beaten Paremata-Plimmerton 34-26.
Colts Competition
In the Les Mills John E Kelly Memorial Cup, Petone continued their dominance this season beating Old Boys University Green. Ories beat MSP 41-35, Tawa beat Norths 55-13, and the two recently promoted teams squared off with Paremata-Plimmerton winning 34-18
In the Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup, Poneke beat Wainuiomata 39-13, Johnsonville edged Wellington 22-17, and Kapiti beat the recently relegated Upper Hutt Rams 32-17. Avalon won by default over OBU Black.
