Hawks win Ash Pointon Cup

By Frank Neill

The Johnsonville Hawks defeated Oriental-Rongotai 29-26 on 29 April and in doing so won the Ash Pointon Cup for the first time since 2014.

The Hawks victory this year was the first time they have beaten Ories during the last nine years.

The Ash Pointon Cup is contested between the two teams in their first round Swindale Cup match each season.

Playing in Wellington Rugby’s premier competition, the Hawkes led 21-12 at half time in the match, played at the Polo Ground Park in Miramar.

One of the game’s outstanding players, Jason Tuitama, scored two tries for Johnsonville, while Tyler Hall – who also performed outstandingly – and Findlay Sharp scored a try each.

Mark Sutton added to the scoreline when he kicked three penalties.

A feature of the match was the great perfor-