 |
|
|
Oriental Rongotai make Jubilee Cup for first time in 5 years
1st 5/8 Karl Harding in typical pose
Jubilee Cup rugby will once again return to Miramar this year after Oriental-Rongotai cemented a top eight finish in the Swindale Shield with a well-earned 24-14 victory over Poneke in their round nine clash at the Polo Ground.
Ories' fifth win of the season places them in sixth place on the Swindale Shield points table and ten points clear of the Hardham Cup zone with just two rounds remaining.
t's been a five-year hiatus since Ories last made the Jubilee Cup, but the Polo ground will once more come alive with top level Premier rugby after what was a tenacious win over Poneke for the Jim Grbich Memorial Shield. It was close throughout, with both teams shadowing the other throughout the first spell, but Ories first five-eighth Karl Harding proved the difference in the end with 14 points including two penalties and two dropped goals.
The win for Ories was also their first Swindale Shield victory over their Eastern Suburbs neighbours for at least the last several seasons, the red and blacks winning each of their previous matches in 2007 (48-0), 2006 (34-10), 2005 (22-10), 2004 (19-8), 2003 (33-24) and 2002 (19-15).
Courtesy Club Weekly
Ireland and South Africa Test Tickets on sale
Tickets for Test Matches v Ireland on June 7th and v South Africa on July 5th will shortly be available.
To secure tickets, payment must be made in full when ordering
NO EXCEPTIONS!
IRELAND and SOUTH AFRICA
Platinum Covered $120 $130
Platinum Uncovered $100 $110
Silver Covered $110 $120
Silver Uncovered $90 $100
Bronze Covered $90 $100
Bronze Uncovered $90 $70
Child Covered $40 N/A
Bronze Uncovered-Child $20 $25
Temporary seating may also be available-$60 Adults and $25 Child
Please contact Club Treasurer John Willis on 9342958
or email john_localpoint@email.com
or see me here on Saturdays!
Ories lose to Upper Hutt in round 3 clash
Veteran midfielder Samson Nonu confuses the Upper Hutt defence
The club weekly was at the pleasant Polo Ground surroundings where Oriental-Rongotai suffered their third straight defeat, losing by the unflattering scoreline of 33-9.
For Ories the main disappointment from this result wasn't so much in the final score that showed they had been outscored four tries to none but in the manner in which they lost - turning a much closer match into a comfortable defeat over the last 25 minutes of the second half. Ories lost a game by over 20 points that they were right in early in the second half as much through their own ill-discipline and poor concentration than the rousing play of their visitors.
Ories had trailed 13-3 Upper Hutt at the halftime break. But with a growing Miramar breeze in their favour and on the back of plenty of positive and entertaining attacking rugby either side of halftime, they had closed the deficit to 13-9 after 50 minutes.
Just as their hopes of an encouraging come-from-behind victory appeared possible, Ories then seemed to collectively lose their way and they allowed Upper Hutt back into the game, an opportunity the visiting team gratefully accepted as they finished the game with three further tries and 20 unanswered points.
But while Ories switched off, much credit went to Upper Hutt for sticking to their structured game plan, and in particular their hard working front five. In a clash of the titans up front, it was Upper Hutt's big men in the shape of props Pasifika Ieremia and Tui Hunt and hooker Joe Ritchie - the latter pair veterans of their 2005 Swindale Shield campaign - that came to the fore.
The Upper Hutt pack forced Ories into mistakes inside their own 22. First five-eighth Ben Aoina kicked a penalty to extend their lead to 16-9. This was followed by another penalty near the Ories line, from which Upper Hutt opted for a lineout drive and then spun the ball across Ories' posts and sent centre Chris Puketapu over for a try to make it 21-9.
More Ories ill discipline presented Aoina with another penalty shot soon after, only for it to hit the left hand uprights. But in the scramble for the loose ball, Upper Hutt's chasers caught Ories napping on their goal line and wing Sam Williamson pounced over the line for another try. This time Aoina converted and it was game over at 28-9 with 15 minutes remaining.
Ories responded and should have hit back with a try following a converted period of pressure at the other end of the field, but instead Upper Hutt weathered their attacks, worked their way up field and scored their bonus point try to fullback Nua Fono on fulltime.
Earlier, Upper Hutt had established a ten-point lead in almost as many minutes through two Aoina penalties and a well created team try scored by left wing Ofa Pongi involving some strong lead up work by the forwards and some slick passing out wide.
On the strength of this victory, Upper Hutt certainly appear to be top eight contenders this year. Their defence and organisation at the breakdown is excellent and they have experience in key areas, such as the front row, at blindside through captain Blair Cowan and at halfback-first five through Daniel Beckett and Aoina. They also have a new New Zealand U20 rep in their ranks in No.8 Matt Luamanu who will be a force for them when available.
It's back to the training field for Ories, who have the power up front and the talent and experience out wide in names such as Nonu (Samson), Pakau, Tuma'ai, Aukuso and Sola, but just need to harness it. Otherwise 2008 could become another long season for them and their supporters.
Courtesy WRFU Club Weekly
Oriental Rongotai Tracer Construction Profile
 It's been a lean few seasons for Oriental-Rongotai since they last appeared in the Jubilee Cup playoffs in 2002. That year they went down to eventual champions Marist St. pat's 18-14 in the semi-finals. It was also the season they had an up and coming midfielder called Ma'a Nonu and a rising No. 8 named Roy Kinikinilau, who between them ran in 22 tries during the year.
The first half of 2003 was also fruitful for Ories, leading the Swindale Shield until the eighth round, before finishing second behind first time champions Northern United. But three consecutive eleventh placed Swindale finishes and then a tenth in 2007 followed.
But this year their fortunes appear much brighter, having won three from six so far - including three wins in succession, last achieved in 2003 - to sit comfortably mid table and with a realistic chance of making the top eight. The Miramar based club showed signs of a revival during last year's Hardham Cup, winning six from seven in the round robin before being upset by Wainuiomata in the final. Their side this year is well balanced with a healthy mix of experience and youth and a whole lot of attacking flair.
Ories have a rich history. In 1888 The Oriental club became the fourth club in Wellington, joining Wellington (Established 1870), Poneke (1883) and Petone (1885). Oriental won its first club championship in 1910 ahead of a series of amalgamations over the years involving Rongotai College FC, Seatoun-Rongotai Old Boys, Miramar FC, Eastern Suburbs RFC, Rongotai College Old Boys and Oriental - all giving birth to the present Oriental-Rongotai FC in 1969.
Their motto is "Once an Orie always an Orie", with the club currently fielding teams in Premier, Senior One, Women's, Senior Three, U85 kgs, U21, Reserve and Presidents grades. They also have a strong alliance with Rongotai College. The appointment of former Manu Samoa and All Black representative, Stephen Bachop as club coaching co-ordinator has provided the club with more profile in the areas' other local colleges, Scots, St Catherine's and Wellington East. The Ories Sevens side that travels regularly to Singapore to contest their local tournament has always provided 1 or 2 places to members of the Rongotai College 1st XV.
As well as Nonu and Kinikinilau - both products of Rongotai College - an assortment of exciting players have made the Polo Ground home in recent times. These include New Zealand Sevens players Justin Wilson, Tafai Ioasa and Lote Raikabula, as well as All Blacks openside Kupu Vanisi and Tongan test lock Milton Ngauamo. A new breed is also rising in such players as first five-eighth James Proctor, first year out of St. Pat's Town, and wing sensation Julian Savea, still at Rongotai College.
Courtesy WRFU Club Weekly
Ories Premiers make it 4 in a row
Young 1st 5/8 James Proctor now with 78 points, in round 4 action against Petone
Ories made it four wins on the trot - now sitting in 6th place - in their five tries to one win over the luckless Avalon, with fullback James Proctor continuing his excellent introduction to premier rugby in scoring a try and kicking four penalties and a conversion for 19 points. There were signs of improvement for Avalon though, after Ories continued the trend of other matches by racing to an early two-try lead courtesy of touchdowns to Proctor and the versatile Johnny Sola system playing on the left wing. Avalon held Ories out thereafter for long periods in the first half before Ories scored their third try of the day. Avalon replied with a converted try to Thomas Waldrom under the posts to close the gap to 17-10, but Ories pulled again in the second half.
Courtesy WRFU Club Weekly
Ories Rugby Balls a hit in Bougainville
A chance meeting between Police Constable John Ward, Mowena Antonio (Club Coaching Co-Ordinater) and Steve Cavanagh (Senior 1st Coach) proved highly beneficial to the Youths of Bougainville.
John, who was about to return to Bougainville working with the Police, told Mo and Steve that the kids there had very little possessions. He had been trying to get some rugby balls to donate but was running out of time as he was due to return to Bougainville shortly.
The following day Mo and Steve managed to rustle up over a dozen rugby balls and gave them to John at the airport when he left.
They have proved a big hit with the locals over there and John recently sent this picture back.
John says: "This is a group of kids who were playing rugby at a local park. Their ball was very shabby and flat so the new ball was much appreciated.
How they decided who was to keep the ball, I have no idea and decided not
to stick around to find out. Big thanks to Mo and Steve from the Oriental Rongotai Rugby Club."
Junior Registration Form Download
Hi. The Junior Registration Form for 2008 is now available for download by clicking here. Thank you.
Posted on 27 Feb 2008 by Rhys M
Johnny Sola captains Wellington 7's
Congratulations to Johnny Sola on his appointment as captain of the Wellington 7's side that competed at the National 7's in Queenstown recently.
With 2 losses on day one, Wellington found themselves in the bowl competition on day two. A competition they won.
This was Johnny's first ever rep team selection and to be named captain is just reward for a player and person that has given so much to Ories over the years. Well Done Johnny
Ma'a contributes to Baa-Baas 22-5 victory over South Africa
Ma'a breaks the South African defence on one of his numerous runs
Ories Ma'a Nonu played strongly for the Baa-Baas in their 22 - 5 victory over the World Champion South African side. Teaming up with Australia's Matt Giteau in the midfield, Ma'a had a hand in several of the Baa-Baas tries. One in particular where he pounced on a loose ball and counter attacked in true Barbarians style with fellow midfielder Matt Giteau eventually touching down.
Ma'a certainly enhanced his reputation as a true international rugby player. He looked at home in the free running spectacle, reminiscent of his early days with the Hurricanes when they embraced a similar style and that enabled him to go on to make his All Black debut in 2003.
Off Season Training commences Monday 19th November @ 6pm
Oriental Rongotai Off-Season training will commence on Monday 19th November, 6pm at the Polo Grounds. Training will be under the guidance of fitness trainer Dean White and is open to all existing and new players. The training is designed to compliment the off-season weights training programme that many players have been on since early October as Oriental Rongotai Premiers build toward the 2008 rugby season under re-appointed coaches Phil Proctor and Tim Perez.
<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next >>
|
|
