Hawk's Newsletter #11 - Premier's win direct ticket to the Jubilee semi-finals!
Updated: Jul 5
Results for last weekend's matches
Premier's vs OBU Billy-Goats (Jubilee Cup Qualifying Quarter-final)
On a beautiful winter's day at Hell Park the Hawks produced their best performance of the year beating OBU 46-12 to earn a spot in the Jubliee Cup Semi Final.
The Hawks produced an electric performance to dispatch Old Boys-University in their top-four qualifier at Helston Park. The Hawks led 10-0 after just six minutes after an early Mark Sutton penalty was followed by Aukuso Tuitama picking off a pass and racing 50m to score. OBU then rolled their sleeves up and had the better of the next 15 minutes but that came to a crashing halt when they coughed up possession and Sean Rankin put fellow tight forward Ha’amea Ahio away.
OBU redoubled their efforts and were rewarded when Reece Plumtree crossed after some sustained pressure and would have been happy enough turning with the wind at the backs for the second half down 7-17, but they clocked off from the restart and conceded another try when Tyler Hall crossed after a break from Ants Pettett to make it 24-7 to the home side.
The Hawks then put the result beyond doubt with a devastating burst after the interval. Sutton kicked a 40m penalty into the wind before a sumptuous second try to Tuitama featured Jacob Walmsley, Finlay Sharp, and Olly Paotonu in the lead up. Sharp added one of his own before blindside Josh Betham crossed in the opposite corner. It was a satisfying performance in front of a packed house at Helston Park. Final score 46-12.
The Hawks get a well deserved break this weekend and will then play the winner of Upper Hutt vs Ories, back at Hell Park on the 15th July for a Jubilee Cup final spot.
Thank you again to all our sponsors including Woodridge Homes, Seven Electrical, Ramsbottom Drainage and Blizzard HVAC & Electrical. A huge thank you to all our supporters also.
Congratulations to Serge Hollis playing 50 games.
See you all on the 15th July, when we fight for a finals spot…
The Helston terraces chocker eagerly awaiting our Premier's.
Premier Reserves vs OBU (HD Morgan Memorial Cup qualifier, 10 vs 13)
On a very beautiful sunny day at Rugby League Park, the team were out to avenge the first-round loss to OBU. Going against the wind in the first half the J'ville team was determined to run the ball and this proved a successful strategy with the backs having a field day with a lot of breaks. A few last-minute positional shuffles had Asafo Fa'amafu starting at 12 and he looked like a natural in this position creating many opportunities for the outside backs. Quentin Setu an addition from the Cripples team (The B's would love to keep him) was the first to go over for Johnsonville. J'ville stormed back up the field and our livewire halfback Connie Vivili scored a good individual try from close range. OBU hit back after utilising the wind to get some field position - battering over for a try after a bit of time camped in the J'ville 22. J'ville then hit back with two more tries with Aaron Fawkes showing his class and speed both making breaks and finishing off some breaks from Asafo.
The team had built a nice lead and at 28 to 7 it looked like the boys would run away with it. Alas to the coach's frustration some poor discipline kept giving the OBU team a peak back into the game. A couple of penalties after the kick off and then OBU scored again to make the score 28 - 14. It was somewhat hard to believe the score was somewhat close after the domination from Johnsonville in the first half. With the wind in the second half it was hard for the OBU team to get out of their own half but a few lapses in defence they were able to launch long range counter attacks. They made a break up the field and were able to get over to bring the game to 28 - 21. After J'ville camping in the OBU half again there was a long-range attack from OBU and they were able to score to bring it to 28 - 28 all. It was very tense last 10 minutes as Johnsonville had a man in the bin and OBU were finishing strong. Johnsonville were not done and some good phases from the forwards J'ville were able to get close to the OBU goal line. A penalty just outside the OBU 22 and Aaron lines it up and slots it over. A few nervous moments in the finish but Johnsonville were able to hold on to the win and end score of 31 to 28. It was good to get the win for the last game of our French prop William Giardin.
As the first round is finished a big shout out to the manager Leanne Rautao. She has been a huge positive to the team and her organisational skills are what keeps this team together on and off the field. thanks for all you do for us Leanne, it is very much appreciated.
The victorious Premier Reserves.
Pressies vs Para-Plim
Pressies have joined with Norths Reds for this round and because of this had exceptional numbers this week. We played a Paramata/Plim team at Norths park 3 and went down 10-5. It was a close game all the way though. Thanks to Derek who stepped forward and was the ref. Thanks to my guys who keep turning up to our games cause they just wanna play rugby. Cheers.
Pressies share a moment with their opposition.
The Terrahawk's U85's had to default their game due to low numbers. Cripples conversely were defaulted to by OBU.
Newlands / Onslow Combined First XV vs Brisbane Selection
The combined college team on a school holiday break played a touring Brisbane team, with the touring team won 42-7. Both teams were hosted at the club afterwards where they enjoyed sharing their after match food together. Always great to have the youngsters play a curtain-raiser so thanks to those involved with putting this in place!
Draw for this week
The Premier's enjoy a week to shake off niggles and mentally prepare for their Jubilee Cup semi-final. At the same time, there is still some great rugby to be watched. The Premier Reserves take on Norths in a knock out quarter-final at Porirua Park (#2), Cripples are at home vs Petone Brotherhood in a key showdown, the Terrahawk's venture to Ian Galloway and the Pressies play just up the road at Newlands vs Stokes Valley. Get out and support our teams!
With the Premier's reaching the Jubilee Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1999 (we think), who do you think travels to Helston Park next Saturday?
- Upper Hutt Rams
- Oriental-Rongotai
For those keen poller's, there is an updated poll released by Club Rugby following last weekend's matches - you know who to vote for!
https://clubrugby.nz/wp/2023/07/04/polls-new-who-do-you-think-will-win-the-jubilee-and-hardham-cups/
** FUNDRAISER ** QUIZ NIGHT SUNDAY JULY 16TH, 7PM
This evening is coming up fast with the quiz starting at 7pm & is $20pp. We will have raffles, answers for sale at $2.00 each & a lot of fun all while raising funds for our club. Don't forget if booking a table for a meal beforehand book about 5.30-6pm and let them know you are there for the quiz. We hope to see as many as possible of our teams there, 8 people per team so make up two quiz teams per team.
While the Prems get a much earned rest this weekend, there are still other games that would love the support, so rug up & get along to a game.
We hope you all have a good week, good luck to all the teams for this weekend. We hope everyone is surviving the school holidays with whanau. It will be great if the weather stays fine for them.
Cheers
Cherie, Trina & Blair