Round 11 v Papanui Tigers

The Halswell Hornets Premiers are just one win away from taking the Minor Premiership in the 2013 CRL Premiership after dispatching of the Papanui Tigers. The Hornets also retain the coveted Kevin Williams Memorial Trophy, which is dedicated to the man who played for both clubs and coached the Hornets to their first ever CRL Premiership. After a quick start by the Hornets, the rebuilding Papanui Tigers were worked hard to remain in the game at half time. However the home side blew the Tigers off the field in the second stanza as they scored a flurry of tries. One thing the Hornets will be looking to improve as they head into finals time will be their discipline, having had two players sent to the bin and a third player sent off with only moments to go in the game.

Much like their first round match against the Tigers, the home side raced out to a 14 point lead, scoring three tries in quick succession. However Papanui fought back in the second quarter of the game to only be behind by six at half time. The Hornets, however, turned it on in the second half, their staunch defence holding Papanui to only the one try, while putting on another four themselves. Big bopper, Brendan Tusa and fullback, Shannon Knight, managed to both get a brace of tries, giving Knight 6 tries in two games. While not getting on the score sheet, utility Jason Galland had a strong game, while out wide the man they call “Swift” was in hot form. However it was a victory marred by a couple of incidents, which resulted in players getting an unwelcomed rest. Both Toi Sepuloni and Vincent Tusa were sat down for ten minutes by the referee. The most controversial of which came only minutes before the end of the game when Brendan Tusa was sent from the field for an alleged shoulder charge. By this stage, the result was more than sealed and the Hornet walked away with another two points.

The Hornets will be looking to seal the minor premiership next weekend with a win over the Aranui Eagles at home. The Linwood Keas remain level with the Hornets after beating the Eagles 34-6, but should the Hornets also dispatch the Eagles, the Massetti Cup for the Minor Premiership will remain in Halswell’s grasp at the season’s end. Aranui will be looking to end the regular season strongly as they head into their Gore Cup finals series in two weeks’ time. They boast a number of exciting players and will be looking to upset the home side to finish the 2013 round robin. The Halswell Hornets have an exciting day planned with the annual Sponsors and Past Players Night to be held in the evening. It will be a fantastic day! So get on down to the Hornets’ Nest (Halswell Domain) at 2.45pm on Saturday 20 July and support our Premiers as they look to lock up the Minor Premiership trophy for another season!

Go the mighty Hornets!!!

Halswell Hornets 40 – Tries: Brendan Tusa (2), Shannon Knight (2), Daniel Ball, Erwin Sauni, Rowan Swain, Aaron Endacott; Goals: Daniel Ball (4).

Papanui Tigers 20.