West 7 HOBM 61

Wests Roosters 7 (Sam Blair try, Andrew Newson con) Hutt Old Boys Marist 61 (Glen Walters 2, Tupeni Kamakorewa 2, Opetera Peleseumae 2, Deon Carney, Simon Malaeulu, tries, Walters 6 con, 2 pen, dg) HT: 39-0 (Care of Dominion Post).

What happened: HOBM got off to the perfect start when second five Opetera Peleseumae used his pace to follow up a charge down from the kickoff and Wests never really recovered. With a noticeable size advantage up front the HOBM pack were dominant at set-piece and at the breakdown.Blindside Deon Carney charged around like a wrecking ball adding to the dogged work of openside Jason Risden at the breakdown where Wests were well beaten. Halfback Nick Risden had an armchair ride and simply fed a hungry back division.Peleseumae looks a player of some class, and the HOBM back-three Tupeni Kamakorewa, Taleta Tupuola and fullback Glen Walters had a field day. It was 27-0 in a heartbeat and when Wests fullback Josh Rauluni let two kicks bounce just before the break the rout was official. Wests halfback Nalu Tuigamala and prop Chris Eves were Wests' best.

The big play: There were plenty of pleasing long range tries to the backs, but prop Simon Malaeulu's near full time will have pleased HOBM most. It was built on a sustained build up, patience, ball retention and physicality. By the time he bulldozed to the line Wests were truly broken. HOBM will be tough to beat this season.

Star turn: Fullback Glen Walters scored in every way and did it with a touch of class to score 31 points. With pace, balance and a strong boot he had the smarts to utilise his two bit wings and ran off and around the strength of Kamakorewa and Tupuola to great effect.