Halswell Hornets Rugby League Club Inc

After a fantastic night at the CRL Centenary Dinner at the Hornby Workingmen’s Club, Rugby League fans, supporters and families turned up to AMI Stadium expecting a fantastic game of footy! And boy did the 34 players on the field deliver!! Mother nature put on a pearler of a day for the anniversary of the first game that Canterbury ever played in. The 2013 Canterbury Bulls Premiers sought to avenge a 5-4 loss against Wellington at the Addington Showgrounds (the historical home of Canterbury Rugby League, on top of which AMI Stadium now stands) in their first ever game on 7 September 1912. The Bulls were too strong for a big Wellington side and ran away with a 34-24 win.

The Bulls signalled their intentions early as they raced out to a 12 point lead with tries to hooker Josh Ka and the Hornets’ own Jordan Kane. The early dominance came from the Bulls forward pack making easy metres up the middle of the field. However, the Wellington side showed great speed out wide to hit back with two tries of their own. Winger Bernard Gregorious  scored both of their tries, the first with a giant leap over Matt Sauni and the second an 80m intercept try over a wild Bulls’ pass. Big centre Bruce Havea scored either side of half time as he ran through the young Wellington outside backs, although Gregorious kept them in the competition scoring another two tries after half time. The Canterbury Bulls forward pack were even more dominant in the second half, easily busting tackles and creating second phase play. Hornets prop Jaye Pukepuke scored the final try from close range to seal the win in celebration of the Canterbury Rugby League Centenary.

The Halswell Hornets Premiers were well represented in the Canterbury Bulls side, with 6 players in the playing side, as well as the 18^th and 19^th men. Jaye Pukepuke and Garry Hape had solid games in the Bulls pack, while Toi Sepuloni overcame some early jitters to put on some fantastic plays for the Bulls, which led to a try for Jordan Kane. Kane, ordinarily a lock, was playing out in the centres and won the man of the match award after running a great line and running over the top of the fullback when support players were marked. Out wide the Sauni brothers, Matt and Erwin showed their wares in the Red and Black jersey. While Brad Austin and Will Tafua had to watch from the stands after narrowly missing out on selection in the starting 17.

After a large representation in the Bulls side, the Halswell Hornets Premiers will be looking to get their bodies right for a momentous clash against their arch rivals the Hornby Panthers for the Halswell Hornets Club Day! Bar their narrow loss to ladder leaders, the Linwood Keas, the Panthers have been travelling well and will put up a huge fight against our Premiers. There will be games on all day at the Hornets’ Nest, so we look forward to seeing you supporting all of our Hornets teams, especially our mighty Halswell Hornets Premiers, who will kick off at 2.45pm, 8^th June at Halswell Domain!

Go the mighty Hornets!!!

Canterbury 34 – Tries: Luke Rosvall (2), Josh Ka, Jordan Kane, Bruce Havea, Jaye Pukepuke; Goals: James Baxendale (5);

Wellington 24 – Tries: Bernard Gregorious (4), Ezra Togia-Aloese; Goals: Edward Albright (2).