Halswell Hornets Rugby League Club Inc

The Halswell Hornets Premiers have bounced back with a huge 46-16 win over the Riccarton Knights at the Hornets’ Nest over the weekend. While the Knights got the first points on the scoreboard, it was the Hornets who dominated for the majority of the game. While the Hornets performance was far from perfect, the team is progressing well as they head toward the second round. The Hornets scored nine tries from all over the park as they sent the Knights packing!

After a scrappy start to the game, where both teams made several errors, the Knights managed to score first from a banana kick. However, as the Hornets settled into a rhythm, they managed to post points of their own. Jay Pukepuke again led from the front, and showed great strength to get over the line. While on the edges, Aaron Endacott managed to touch down in the corner after the Knights defence was caught napping out wide. The Knights were unable to capitalise on some good field position when they let a mid-field bomb bounce straight into the hands of Erwin Sauni, who ran 80m to score a try in a great solo effort. The Hornets took a half time lead of 24-6 into oranges, but doubled it in the second stanza with several more tries. Manu Weepu was destructive on the right side of the field on both sides of half time, constantly breaking the line. The Hornets were able to regularly break the tackles of a tiring Knights side. Although the Knights fought back with a couple of second half tries, they were put to rest when Vincent Tusa burst over for his second try of the afternoon.

The Hornets will be looking to lift their game another notch again for their game against the Aranui Eagles to end the first round. The first round trophy is still up for grabs, and should the Linwood Keas suffer a loss to the Bulldogs, a Hornets win would gift them top spot heading into the second round. However, the Eagles will be no easy task, as they seek to bounce back from three close losses. There is uncertainty as to where the game will be played, due to Aranui’s home field privileges being taken away by the CRL after several incidents, but keep posted on the Hornets website for the venue! Whether it is at the Hornets’ Nest or on a neutral field, we hope to see you all supporting the Halswell Hornets Premiers on Saturday 18^th May at 2.45pm as they look to end the first round with a huge performance!!

Go the mighty Hornets!!!

Halswell Hornets 46 – Tries: Vincent Tusa (2), Garry Hape, Jaye Pukepuke, Rowan Swain, Ross Martin, Erwin Sauni, Aaron Endacott, Matt Sauni; Goals: Jordan Kane (3), Daniel Ball (2);

Riccarton Knights 16.