Welcome to The Village Viewpoint sponsored by Gavin and Cassie Murphy and the team at Gee and Hickton Ltd Funeral Directors, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, and Porirua.

5/5 = 100%, so it was a happy group of Villagers that gathered at the clubrooms last Saturday night after five wins across the grades. This weekend we celebrate 140 years of rugby in Petone. Four of our teams are playing at The Rec on Saturday, and the clubrooms will be open from midday. Get down there and support the teams and/or the bar!

Our Ponies were in imperious form as they dispatched MSP on #1, 60-0. Their first round loss is well and truly in the rear-view mirror now as they look to build on this result in the second round of the Tia Paasi Memorial Trophy when they kick off the exciting slate of games at 11:15am vs Ories. Best of luck to these girls, as Ories will be looking to avenge their loss two weeks ago.

A good result for the Colts on #3 over the weekend as they overcame a spirited Paremata-Plimmerton to win 34-24 and vault themselves back into the top six of the grade. Similarly to the Ponies, they will play the team they beat two weeks ago – in this case, Poneke at 12pm – and will be confident after this week’s win.

In what was arguably the performance of the week, the Prem Reserves dominated the previously-unbeaten OBU on #2. They built a steady lead into the northerly and despite OO saying that they, “got there in the end,” they looked good for the full eighty minutes to me. It is hard to point out anyone specifically for good performances because the team worked brilliantly together.
This week, they will again look to topple the new top of the table, Poneke, on #1. Please note the slightly earlier kick-off time of 12:45pm.

Injuries are beginning to take a toll, shout out to colts Faenza, Liam and Afi for answering the call, so too to veteran warhorse Chris Lolohea

The Brotherhood had a tight win vs the Wests Mixed Veges, 31-27. This was somewhat surprising considering they had the luxury of calling on one of the most exciting backs to ever don the saddle. But it wasn’t only Tamahou Waikari who had a role in this one, as Willie Moala also ripped in from the back. George Sione, Tamahou Waikari, Willie Moala and Mike Tregaskis all donning the saddle? I feel like it's 2005, and I’m sure we are all here for it.

Their first round is over, and it seems as though – one result has not been entered on ‘Tribe’ – they finish in second place in the ‘Pango’ division. The two grades will split into two (presumably top four in each grade will join one grade), so they now have a bye week while this is sorted out.

“A win is a win.” This old adage could be heard echoing across Petone Rec #1 after Tjay Clarke kicked our Prems to a last-gasp win over OBU. Despite having the lion’s share of possession in the first half with the gentle northerly at our backs, and clearly being the better side, we only found ourselves up by eight. A slight lack of composure in and around the goal-line coupled with OBU taking their only chances of the first half meant that the second half was always going to be a tense affair. To OBU’s credit, they played chaotic and desperate rugby in the second half, and the game was anyone’s to take; thankfully, we walked away with a very important five points. There were a number of good performances, but I felt that Braith Ingram at open-side was everywhere and popped up at several crucial moments to save the day.

Back-to-back home games for the Prems as they take on a Poneke side who will be buoyant after getting the full five points from their match at William Jones Park in Round 8. It is great that a bit of common sense has been shown and that we can sit in the grandstand again; keep getting down there and supporting our lads in what is yet another key match vs a fellow top four side.

Luke Pearson, Marco Venter and Piri Bradshaw rewarded for consistent form with the Prem Reserves. Jermaine Pepe leads the side this week with Connor away on international sevens duties. Electric youngster Stanley Solomon back from NZ u20 campaigns plugs in at fullback. Go well boys!

Get well soon Premier prop Ben Kershaw. Ben picked up an infection against OBU last week. He has been in hospital for the past 2 days. He is undergoing tests but it looks like the picked something up from his opposing prop, an additional OBU player is also in hospital with similar symptoms, we hope everyone involved a speedy recovery.

140th Celebration Tonight!

Murray and the 140th organising committee have pulled out all the stops, see you tonight doors open 5:30pm. Glen Tapara will be your master of ceremonies and Plunks will be on the hammer for the Limited edition jerseys at around 8pm. Tickets available at the door.

All the info you need for our 140th this Weekend!

Friday 30th May - "Homecoming". Your entry includes a light dinner and nibbles and a 2025 140th club badge. You will also get to mingle with some of our current and past Petone players, our current Hurricanes & Poua players, and an opportunity to bid for one of our Limited Edition 140th Commemorative Jerseys during our live auction from 8.15pm onwards. The bar opens at 6pm, although you can pick up your name tag/items you have bought anytime after 5.30pm. The club Shop will be open for PRFC merch.

You are also more than welcome to join us on the next day, Saturday 31st of May: "All in After-match". Start the day by wearing your Petone gear (old or new) down at the club from 12pm. Enjoy some savouries and a drink with other Petone Rugby Club members, before heading to the Rec to support our teams and our players against Poneke.

Following the rugby, it would be great to see you back at the clubrooms for our usual after-match and make a full day of it!

Legacy Brick Fundraiser

Stage 2 is complete, and the bricks at the clubs main entrance look great! Thank you to Jock for leading this initiative and a massive shoutout to our sponosrs who made this happen:

Horokiwi Paving

Baldwin Asphalts

Apex Print

Stanley has again been selected in the NZ under 20 squad, after a successful Rugby Championship campaign they now head to Italy in the coming weeks for the world champs. Good luck Stanley!

Unfortunately when we got to the kiosk at the Rec last Saturday morning it had been robbed of our cooking equipment and stock. Some crafty individuals had climbed into the roof space from the public toilets then across and down through the manhole in the kiosk kitchen. They left a hell of a mess too 

But Junior Parents Anna and Kristen determined to get the kiosk open rolled their sleeves up and got cleaning. Mark, Sharon and the team at Hardy trade based on Waione Street Petone hearing of our situation raced down and donated a flash new benchtop oven and 2 new friers. Mark even hung around and Fried the chips!

Amazing what some 'Village' can do attitude and some help from the local community can accomplish. Thank you https://hardytrade.co.nz/

We have a Full Field! What an amazing Response, thanks to everyone who entered and paid for the McBain Golf Day. See you at Boulcott Farms on the 27th June.

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If you are desperate for a reserve spot email morgan.lowrybay@xtra.co.nz
feel free to take part in the aftermatch from 3pm at the Boulcott Farms Heritage Golf Course Clubhouse

We still need a few more volunteers to help out around the club. If you would like to put your hand up or know someone who is keen to help, flick an email to Steve Tanner st@bcasolutions.co.nz we would especially love to talk to anyone with finance or bookkeeping experience.

If there is any news or information you would like added to the Village Viewpoint please email it through to Hack - haydenotoole@gmail.com

Thanks for reading. Again, I know 140 is a little bit of an odd number to commemorate but any excuse to link up with old rugby friends and toast to our great club is a good one. Please get in behind raffles, auctions, grab some PRFC merchandise and the odd beer or two, this helps secure rugby in the Village for future generations.

Good luck to the Canes tomorrow night at Sky Stadium, they play the Moana in a bid for a home playoff game.

Up the saddle!