Round 3 v Celebration Lions

As the Junior grades had a bad start to their school holidays with games being cancelled due to the weather, the Halswell Hornets Premiers remain unbeaten holding out the Celebration Lions. The wet weather proved to make the game difficult for both sides, as there were errors a plenty throughout the game. Surprisingly it was the Hornets who leaked more dropped ball, on which the Lions capitalised remain in the game. Just when the Hornets supporters thought the game was out of reach of the Lions at 32-12, they sparked a strong comeback to get within six points. However the Hornets showed too much skill in the wet as they sealed the game with a final try.

In what was a high scoring game in the wet conditions, the Lions raced off to a 12 point lead through capitalisation of errors by the Hornets. However the Hornets hit back with the first of Vincent Tusa and Matt Sauni’s two tries. From this point the floodgates opened, and the Hornets scored another two unanswered tries either side of half time. This included Sauni’s second try, as he managed to get a double after strong performances on the edges. While in the middle of the field, Jordan Kane had another strong performance and scored another solo, long range try. After bursting through several defenders, Kane showed great speed to put himself one-on-one with the Lions fullback, who stepped to slide over under the posts. Similar agility was shown by winger Rowan Swain, who weaved and leaped through the Lions defence multiple times. Swain’s most impressive manoeuvre was his bootlaces pick up from a long cut-out pass to score untouched in the corner during the first half. The most disappointing aspect of the game for coach Darrell Coad will be the three quick tries that his chargers let in during a 15 minute spell after leading 32-12. While this brought Celebration within a converted try, Tusa burrowed over score his second to close out the match with three minutes remaining.

With the Hornets sitting first equal with the Linwood Keas (but second on points differential) atop the CRL Premiership Table, they will be looking for a better all-round performance against the rebuilding Papanui Tigers next weekend. Last year’s wooden spooners managed to push the Keas the distance in a 26-10 loss, leaving the Tigers without a win after three rounds. However they will be looking for a major upset against the Halswell Hornets Premiers, who are yet to find their form of seasons past. So get on down to Papanui Domain at 2.45pm on Saturday 27 April and support our Premier side as they seek to continue to their unbeaten record!

Go the mighty Hornets!!!

Halswell Hornets 36 – Tries: Vincent Tusa (2), Matt Sauni (2), Sam Kelso, Jordan Kane, Rowan Swain; Goals: Jordan Kane (3), Toi Sepuloni;

Celebration Lions 26.