Round 7 v Aranui Eagles

The Halswell Hornets Premiers have withstood a spirited performance against a struggling Aranui Eagles at Halswell Domain to end the first round of the CRL Premiership. With several Aranui players backing up from a big loss in the Premier Reserves game, the Eagles put up a good team performance against the dominant Hornets. Even though they notched their sixth win from seven starts, the Hornets were not as dominant as they could have been by their standards. Aranui even managed to steal the lead not long after half time. However, the Hornets’ experience showed through as they took the game away from Aranui in the last quarter.

The Hornets orchestrated two early tries to take off to a 10-nil lead, which they would hold until half time. Matt Sauni scored first for the home side, before young gun Brendan Tusa stormed over after receiving an inside ball from Brad Austin. However the Eagles fought back afer half time with two quick tries to take a two point lead. The Hornets’ first half dominance was lost in the beginning of the second stanze. It wasn’t until Manu Weepu sent a huge bomb rocketing into the air, which was fumbled, that the Hornets came back into the contest as captain, Toi Sepuloni slid over to the left of the posts. The Hornets then backed their captain’s try up with some good ball movement to see Rowan Swain dot down in the corner. While the backs were showing their skills out wide, the forwards showed their strength in the last 15 minutes with two tries and a crowd-awakening tackle. After three scoreless years in the CRL Premiership, Isu Fialele was finally rewarded for all of his hard work by barging over from close to the line. Not long after, Brendan Tusa put a jarring hit on an unlucky Eagles player that got the crowd cheering. As the Hornets’ crowd got behind their team once more, Joseph Pombo carried three players over the line to score in what was the last play of the game.

After finishing the first round with six wins and a narrow loss to the first placed Linwood Keas, the Hornets head out to Murphy Park in Kaiapoi to keep hot on the Keas heels. It is always a tough encounter when teams are required to travel north to face the Northern Bulldogs Murphy Park. The Bulldogs pushed the Keas for 60 minutes in their seventh round match, however could not keep up for the full 80. The Hornets will be up for a big game as they look to better their second place at the end of the first round. So grab all your family and friends and make a day of it – support your mighty Halswell Hornets Premiers at Murphy Park on Saturday 25^th May at 2.45pm as they look to continue their rise in 2013!!

Go the mighty Hornets!!!

Halswell Hornets 26 – Tries: Matt Sauni, Brendan Tusa, Toi Sepuloni, Rowan Swain, Isu Fialele, Joseph Pombo; Goals: Jordan Kane (2) BEAT

Aranui Eagles 12.