Round 10 v Celebration Lions

A depleted Halswell Hornets Premier side has put in a courageous effort to beat the Celebration Lions 14-12 at Cuthberts Green. While the Lions were fresh from holding the table toppers, Linwood Keas, to a draw, the Hornets were without seven regular players, including Jaye Pukepuke, Manu Weepu and Jordan Kane. However, the young guys that stepped up into their spots did more than hold their own as they stole the win in the 75^th minute with a Vincent Tusa try. With two players backing up after the Premiers Reserves win, their injury woes continued not long after kick off as Isu Fialele came off, leaving only one fresh player on the bench. With further injuries throughout the game, the Hornets finished with only one player available on the bench as two more players left the field. While the majority of the side played significant minutes, they showed great heart to hold Celebration scoreless in the second half and sealing the game to take the two points.

Not long into the game, Daniel Ball dazzled the Lions with some footwork as he went under two tacklers to race over to open the scoring. However a raft of penalties saw the Celebration Lions attacking the Hornets try line. Some fantastic, staunch defence ensured that the Lions had to work hard for their first points. After repeat sets, the Lions crossed on the Hornets left side as their side could not contain some swift ball movement. Then mid-way through the first stanza, the bounce of the football proved beneficial to the Lions – a high bomb was caught by Aaron Endacott above his head, before it was stolen from his grasp by Francis Tuiletusuga, who dotted down and give Celebration the lead. The Lions also managed to add another try out wide, with Celebration’s missed kicks keeping the Hornets in the game. The Hornets closed the gap to two points at half time when Nick Phillips went straight through a hole from close range. The referee was as active in the second half as he was in the first, with a myriad of penalties against both sides for offside and ruck offences. While the Hornets attack peppered the Celebration end of the field but could not score, the referee was fed up with the repeated infringement and sat down Matt Sauni for 10 minutes. With discipline from either side not improving, a Lions’ player was also sat down with 15 minutes to go. With five minutes to go, the Lions were just holding on to their two point lead, however the pressure of repeat sets led to holes appearing in their defence line. Then just as he did in the first round against Celebration, Vincent Tusa scored the final points of the game – however, this time it was to take the match from the Lions’ grasp. The Hornets then held on for the remaining four minutes to win the match in a courageous effort!

The Hornets now challenging task in facing a rising Papanui Tigers side, who are fresh from causing the upset of the season. While the Hornets held out the Lions, the Tigers have handed the Keas their first defeat of the season, taking a 26-12 win over the weekend. They are a young side, who have brought back a few key players from across the Tasman to assist them in their 2013 campaign. However the Hornets Premiers will be more than up for the game, especially a chance to play at home and retain the Kevin Williams Memorial Trophy played for between the two sides. So get on down to the Hornets’ Nest (Halswell Domain) at 2.45pm on Saturday 22 June and support our Premier side as they look to hinder the Giant-killers’ run!!

Go the mighty Hornets!!!

Halswell Hornets 14 – Tries: Daniel Ball, Nick Phillips, Vincent Tusa; Goal: Daniel Ball;

Celebration Lions 12 – Tries: Bruce Havea, Francis Tuiletusuga, Benaiah Crighton.