By Adam Blackwell
OBU: 21 vs Wainuiomata: 23
A late Wainuiomata penalty saw the Old Boys University Premiers beaten at home in the penultimate round of the Swindale Shield.
The 70th-minute penalty, which pushed the score to 23-21 in favour of the visitors, was kicked by fullback Josh Robertson-Weepu and came after a controversial late tackle call that caused quite a stir on the Nairnville Park terraces.
Earlier, Wainui controlled much of the play, going out to a 10-0 lead after 20-minutes thanks to a TJ Va’a try and a penalty from Robertson-Weepu.
OBU then returned with two tries of their own, taking a 14-10 lead. The first try was scored by number eight Teariki Ben-Nicholas off the back of a five-meter scrum.
The second went to OBU replacement halfback Matt Fowler who was on only 10-minutes into the game after an injury to Adrian Seumanufagai. Fowler collected a grubber kick which was put through by first five Dale Sabbagh to score under the posts.
Just before halftime Wainuiomata hooker Jordan Gush received a yellow card after an OBU rolling maul was stalled illegally. The Goats were unable to add to their score in Gush’s absence however, with a Wainui penalty just after half time the only change on the scoreboard in that time.
Ten minutes into the second half OBU held a one-point lead with the score at 14-13 when loose forward Shamus Langton was denied a try from a five-metre scrum as the referee had seen a knock-on.
OBU dominated the ensuing scrum however and Caleb Delany was able to get a hand on the ball to score for the Goats. Pushing their lead out to eight points at 21-13.
A 60th minute try to Peter Umaga-Jensen and the decisive penalty from Robertson-Weepu saw Wainuiomata 23-21 winners despite valiant attempts from OBU at the death.
OBU plays Paremata-Plimmerton in their final game of the Swindale Shield next week.