It was a week of back-and-forth battles for the Howick Hornets Rugby League Football Club, with the premier men back in the winner’s circle and the premier women recording a controversial last-minute loss.
Fox Memorial Premiership
After a difficult away game against the Point Chevalier Pirates a week earlier, the Howick Hornets premier men side looked to get their season back on track as they played host to the Te Atatu Roosters.
Going into the game, the Hornets took confidence in their previous match-up with the Roosters in the Fox Memorial Qualifier series, where they prevailed 34-26.
The first half on Saturday told a different story however, with Te Atatu up for the challenge and leading 12-6 at the break.
The Hornets, however, came out of the sheds in the second half determined to give their home crowd a show.
And that they did, keeping the Te Atatu side scoreless and running in 19 unanswered points.
Their 25-12 victory keeps the Hornets in third place on the Fox Memorial table.
As the King’s Birthday long weekend looms, the Hornets are rewarded with a weekend off rugby league before they return on June 7 at North Harbour Stadium for Wednesday Night League on Sky Sport.
Women’s Premiership
After having a week off to rejuvenate following three dominant wins, the Howick Hornets Premier Women (‘Nets) were back in front of the cameras at North Harbour Stadium in a top-of-the-table clash against the Otara Scorpions.
In a fixture dubbed a “banger of a matchup” by Sky Sport commentators both unbeaten sides were looking for bragging rights.
In a back-and-forth battle, it took more than 20 minutes to see first points scored with Otara crashing over under the posts.
Howick hit back with former semi-professional rugby union player Taylor Curtis crossing over in the corner and sending the ‘Nets into half time trailing 6-4.
It took another 20 scoreless minutes in the second half before Howick took the lead on the back of a darting run from Tafito Lafaele, beating three defenders and scoring in the corner.
Otara scored once more before Howick hit back through a brilliant kick chase from Cassie Ormsby.
The match went down to the wire and Otara snatched it scoring a controversial try in the last play of the game. Final score 14-12 in favour of Otara.
A special mention to ‘Nets second rower Lafaele, who after starring in their loss on Wednesday, flew to Australia to join the women’s Brisbane Broncos side in their National Women’s Rugby League (NRLW) campaign.
The women move to second place on the table and will be looking to bounce back on Saturday against the Mount Albert Lions.
Howick Hornets Rugby League Results
Fox Memorial Premiership
Howick Hornets vs Te Atatu Roosters
HT: Howick 6 – Te Atatu 12
FT: Howick 25 – Te Atatu 12
Other Fixtures:
Mangere East Hawks 8 – Manukau Magpies 32
Otahuhu Leopards 6 – Point Chevalier Pirates 14
Mount Albert Lions 10 – Richmond Rovers 36
Bay Roskill Vikings 12 – Marist Saints 24
Glenora Bears 14 – Papakura Sea Eagles 16
Fox Memorial Premiership Standings
| PLACE | TEAM | PLAYED | WON | DRAWN | LOST | POINTS | + / – | |
| 1 | RICHMOND ROVERS | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | + 72 | |
| 2 | PT CHEVALIER PIRATES | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | + 34 | |
| 3 | HOWICK HORNETS | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | + 47 | |
| 4 | MARIST SAINTS | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | + 20 | |
| 5 | MANUKAU MAGPIES | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | + 14 | |
| 6 | OTAHUHU LEOPARDS | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | + 14 | |
| 7 | PAPAKURA SEA EAGLES | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | + 0 | |
| 8 | TE ATATU ROOSTERS | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | – 3 | |
| 9 | GLENORA BEARS | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | – 12 | |
| 10 | BAY ROSKILL VIKINGS | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | – 26 | |
| 11 | MOUNT ALBERT LIONS | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | – 40 | |
| 12 | MANGERE EAST HAWKS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | – 120 |
Women’s Premiership
Howick Hornets vs Otara Scorpions
HT: Howick 4 – Otara 6
FT: Howick 12 – Otara 14
Tries: Taylor Curtis, Wendy Savieti, Cassie Ormsby.
Women’s Premiership Standings
| PLACE | TEAM | PLAYED | WON | DRAWN | LOST | POINTS | + / – | |
| 1 | OTARA SCORPIONS | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | + 104 | |
| 2 | HOWICK HORNETS | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | + 122 | |
| 3 | MOUNT ALBERT LIONS | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | + 42 | |
| 4 | CITY | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 | – 10 | |
| 5 | MANUREWA MARLINS | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | – 72 | |
| 6 | OTAHUHU LEOPARDS | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | – 88 | |
| 7 | TANIWHARAU | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | – 98 |
Howick Hornets Upcoming Fixtures;
Round 6 Women’s Premiership- Howick Hornets Premier Women VS Mount Albert Lions Premier Women at Paparoa Park- Saturday June 3, 12.45pm.
Howick Hornets Premier Men – BYE
