Halswell Hornets Rugby League Club Inc

For the second time in two seasons, the Hornby Panthers have pushed a Grand Final with the Halswell Hornets into golden point-extra time! In 2013, the first ever Rugby League game at Rugby Park would be the occasion that would see in excess of 2,500 cram into the rugby union venue to witness another fantastic Grand Final for the history books! With scores locked up at all major breaks, the two sides approached golden point with nerves of steel as they headed toward playing one of the longest grand finals on record. However it would not be the boot of the Corey Lawrie that would end the Hornets hopes of their tenth Premiership win, with the Panthers stalwart leaving the field in regular time due to injury. It was a 97 and a half minute thriller, which gave all of the spectators their $10-entry-fee’s worth, and then some!

The first half was riddled with spells of fantastic football, while others of errors and whistles. Both sides had their opportunities to post first points early on, but both failed to convert territory into points. Hornby looked to run away with the first try, before spectacular cover defence by the Hornets prevented the early Panthers raid. While the try was prevented, James Baxendale opened the penalty with a penalty goal not much longer into the contest. While errors and referee intervention continued to dominate the first stanza, the two sides could not be separated. The Hornets’ hooker Daniel Ball slotting a penalty goal of his own not long before half time to lock up the scores.

The second stanza began just as bruising as the first, with both sides trading defensive blows. Just like the first half, it would be the Panthers that opened the scoring when the ball went through the Hornby backline to see young winger Cody TeAwa scoring in the corner. Just when he thought a try in a Grand Final in his debut season could not get any sweeter, another backline movement saw TeAwa rack up a double within ten minutes. Fortunately for the Hornets, Baxendale missed both conversions, leaving the Minor Premiers trailing by eight points with 20 minutes to play. While Corey Lawrie worked some magic for the Panthers in 2012, it was the Hornets’ old head Ross Martin who sparked his side into life with a strong dart from dummy half to post their first try in the fixture. Ball swiftly converted as the lead was reduced to just two points. While the Panthers were missing their talisman in Corey Lawrie, they looked like they were doing enough to hold onto their slight lead. However, an in-goal fumble by winger Callum Lawrie saw a red, black and gold hand force ball. The Halswell Hornets supporters erupted as their side took the lead for the first time in the match. Ball, who was on song with the boot, nailed the conversion to give the Hornets a four point lead with five minutes to play. After the Hornets defence gave away significant metres up the middle, some swift ball movement by the Panthers put the Hornets in trouble once more. Callum Lawrie made up by his mistake by forcing the ball on the line down the other end of the field to even up the scoring. While the Hornets players unsuccessfully questioned Steve Toms about a double movement, Baxendale’s off day with the boot continued. Fortunately for the Hornets, another missed goal allowing the game to go into extra time.

Just when one thought the 80 minute encounter could not get any better, spectators were treated to two 5-minute periods of extra time. As both sides’ bench was diminished due to injury in the bruising and fast-paced encounter, the two sides continued trying to gain an upper hand on their opponents. The Hornets made the most of their early territory, and stole the lead when Vincent Tusa dived on a perfectly weighted grubber kick. Again, Daniel Ball converted, leaving the Hornets in front 20-14 with another period to play. With the Panthers on the ropes, the Hornets faithful again erupted when Hornby was penalised on their own 20m line for a two-on-one strip. As Daniel Ball lined up for the kick, the pressure told, as he missed his first attempt of the day. The Hornets still held onto their six point lead, and had good field position. However a string of missed tackles saw Rulon Nutira busting up the middle of the field, before James Baxendale barged over the try-line to send the Hornby Panthers supporters into raptures. It was to be the last play of extra time, and Baxendale easily snapped the goal to level the scores after 90 minutes of play.

And there it was, for the second time in twelve months, Halswell and Hornby were set to play off for the Pat Smith Trophy in golden-point extra time. If, at the end of two 5 minute spells, the scores were still locked up, both sides would retire for the day. However both sides were determined to end the game with a drop goal. James Baxendale looking to atone for his uncharacteristic goal-kicking, missed a couple of attempts, while Toi Sepuloni and Daniel Ball missed an attempt each for the Hornets. When the first five minute period ended, it looked as though nothing could separate the two sides in 2013. However, the game would be ended on that day, when the referee, Steve Toms, blew his whistle for a Hornby penalty, the Hornets’ supporters hearts sunk. Baxendale, sitting at a woeful two from seven attempts that day, lined up to kick a very kickable penalty goal. As the ball sailed between the uprights, the heads of the Halswell Hornets players dropped, and the hearts of many Hornets broke. While those wearing the black and white showed their jubilation in retaining the Pat Smith Trophy for another yet another year.

Although the result did not end the way the Hornets would have hoped, the match will likely go down as one of the greats – especially given that it was played on a rugby union ground. Those who witnessed the match were treated to a spectacle, and those who have missed out will have read about it in the many articles that have celebrated the game since:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/club-sport/9028556/Panthers-pounce-with-thrilling-win

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/rugby-league/9028981/Calls-for-more-games-at-park

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/opinion/9034380/League-still-Canterburys-most-passionate-sport

While the final hurdle was not jumped in 2013, the boys dug deep to ensure that their efforts will be remembered given the tenacity and determination they showed to keep on giving it their all.

Go the mighty Hornets!!!

Premiers (Pat Smith Cup Grand Final)

Hornby Panthers 22 – Tries: Cody TeAwa (2), James Baxendale, Callum Lawrie; Goals: James Baxendale (3);

Halswell Hornets 20 – Tries: Ross Martin, Sam Kelso, Vincent Tusa; Goals: Daniel Ball (4).

HT: 2-2

FT: 14-14

ET: 20-20