Round 13 v Riccarton Knights

The Halswell Hornets Premiers have stolen top spot from the Linwood Keas after the Keas were held to their third draw of the season. After a well fought draw against the Keas last weekend, the Hornets Premiers had a slow start against a struggling Riccarton Knights side. However, the classy Hornets side ran away with the game in the second stanza, scoring six tries to the Knights’ one. The win leaves the Hornets at the top of the table only on points differential. Linwood faces two big games against the Hornby Panthers and Celebration Lions to end their season, so should the Hornets win their final two round robin games, they should lift the Massetti Cup for the Minor Premiership winners.

After a terrific start against the competition-leading Keas the previous weekend, the Hornets were out-enthused early by the Knights who scored two quick tries. Some uncharacteristic errors from the Hornets in their own half gave Riccarton the better field position. The Knights capitalised, scoring a try each side of the posts. However, once the Hornets begun kicking with the wind, their chase pinned Riccarton in their own half. Garry Hape powered over the line, while Shannon Knight pounced on a loose ball after a strip close to the Knights line, scoring the first of his four tries. Daniel Ball then went over untouched from dummy half as the Knights were more concerned with the Hornets set play. Riccarton levelled the scores just before half time when referee Steve Toms made a controversial call where a knock on occurred. The Hornets walked to where the scrum would have been, assuming it occurred in the field of play, but Toms ruled it had been lost in the in goal and the Knights’ Angus Anderson took a quick 20 metre restart and ran the length of the field to score. A different Hornets side came out after the break and ran in 6 spectacular tries. Daniel Ball grabbed a second try as both he and Jason Galland showed some great footwork by hacking the ball down the field after Riccarton let the kickoff bounce. Fullback, Shannon Knight, gave the Hornets coach another selection headache by putting in a superb performance out the back. Knight scored three second half tries including a great showing of strength and determination to spin around four Riccarton defenders and score beside the sticks. Big prop Jaye Pukepuke also scored from close range as he charged over the line and Aaron Endacott was able to dot down out wide. The Hornets will be rueing a scrappy first half performance, which saw the scores 16-all at the break – but will be happy enough to run away comfortable winners in the second half.

With only two round left before the finals series, the Hornets will be looking to put in two solid performances at the Hornets’ Nest to ensure they hit the finals in top form! However, the Papanui Tigers have been travelling well in recent weeks – with a disappointing finish against the Northern Bulldogs. A controversial penalty try was awarded in the final few minutes to give the Bulldogs a 4 point win. The Tigers will step up a gear when they come to the Hornets’ Nest to take back the Kevin Williams Memorial trophy. The trophy is on the line in memory of Williams, who played for both the Papanui and Halswell Clubs. It will be another huge day, so get down to the Hornets’ Nest (Halswell Domain) on Saturday 13^th July at 2.45pm to support the boys as they seek to remain on top of the table and take away the Minor Premiership.

Go the mighty Hornets!!!

Halswell Hornets 48 – Tries: Shannon Knight (4), Daniel Ball (2), Jaye Pukepuke, Garry Hape, Aaron Endacott; Goals: Daniel Ball (6);

Riccarton Knights 22.