Round 2 v Hornby Panthers

While all other Canterbury Rugby League Grades got their seasons under way, the Halswell Hornets Premiers made it two from two against arch-rivals Hornby Panthers at Leslie Park. In what turned out to be a high scoring game, the Hornets took the game out 32-30 after Hornby hard-man Craig Smith failed to convert a try out wide in the final minutes of the game. Three players managed to grab try-scoring doubles, which included two from goal-kicking lock Jordan Kane who had an outstanding game in the middle of the field.

The Halswell Hornets again had a slow start, with a number of calls going against the side, and Hornby raced off to an eight point lead. However they would be without their star second rower, James Baxendale, who went off after a solid hit and sickening head clash with his opposite number in Halswell’s Vincent Tusa. While, Hornby managed to score tries in the corners of each side of the field, the Hornets hit back through captain Toi Sepuloni, who went over untouched to score the first of his double. While down at half time, the Hornets hit back strong at the start of the second half with another two tries to Jordan Kane and Erwin Sauni, who burrowed over from close range. Referee Jason Wilson then had the Hornets marching back several times for being offside, before eventually sending Manu Weepu to the sin-bin for multiple offending. The Panthers took advantage of this and took back the lead while. In another chapter to this tit-for-tat game played out when Erwin Sauni and Jordan Kane crossed for their second tries. Jordan Kane ran a brilliant hole and stepped the fullback to score under the posts. Kane’s kicking would end up being the difference in the game, as the Panther’s final conversion from out wide was waved away by the touchies. The Hornets then put in some solid defence in the final minutes to deny the Panthers any chance of stealing another win from the Hornets.

While it could be considered an ugly win, the Hornets will take the two points and head back to Halswell Domain to prepare for another tough encounter in Round 3. They will be looking to step things up another notch as they come up against a struggling Celebration Lions side who have registered only one win in 2013, in a close encounter against the lowly Papanui Tigers. However the Lions always stand up for a big game against the Hornets, so it should be a great game! So get on down to the Hornets Nest (Halswell Domain) at 2.45pm on Saturday 20 April and support our Premier side as they seek to continue to their unbeaten record!

Go the mighty Hornets!!!

Halswell Hornets 32 – Tries: Toi Sepuloni (2), Jordan Kane (2), Erwin Sauni (2); Goals – Jordan Kane (4);

BEAT Hornby Panthers 30.