The Howick Hornets Rugby League Premier men’s side got their season underway on the weekend in a huge East vs West matchup as they hosted the Te Atatu Roosters.
This was the first round of this season’s Fox Memorial Qualifier series.
The Hornets were in hot form at Paparoa Park on Saturday in front of a packed house, leading from start to finish.
A late first half Te Atatu try from Api Pewhairangi brought the margin to within 10 points with a half-time score of 20-10 to Howick.
Anthony Fuimaono scored early in the second half for the Hornets to extend the lead.
Te Atatu scored a couple of quick tries to bring the game back to 24-20, but with eight minutes left in the match, the Hornets ran in two tries to put the game beyond reach.
A late try from Te Atatu made the score seem closer than it possibly should have been, but the Hornets closed out the game win a 34-26 victory.
Hornets’ fullback, Brooklyn Harris starred on debut for the premier men and was named man of the match.
The Fox Memorial Qualifier series consists of 16 teams across Auckland (four pools of four teams). Every team faces off against the other three in their pool.
In three weeks, the top three ranked teams from each pool after the series will come together to form the 1st division for 2023 with each pool’s bottom team joining the 2nd division ‘Sharman Cup’.
Howick’s pool consists of the Te Atatu Roosters, Otara Scorpions and Otahuhu Leopards.
The Pakuranga Jaguars also got their season underway against last year’s Fox Memorial champions, the Pt Chevalier Pirates
It was a weekend to forget for the Jaguars, as Pt Chev ran in 13 tries over the 80 minutes for a 76-point victory.
This weekend the Hornets travel to Ngati Otara park to take on the Otara Scorpions and the Pakuranga Jaguars have mountains to climb as they face another away match against the Mangere East Hawks.
FOX MEMORIAL QUALIFIER SERIES RESULTS
Howick Hornets vs Te Atatu Roosters
Half Time: Hornets 20 – Roosters 10
Full Time: Hornets 34 – Roosters 26
Tries: Joshua Cooper, Anthony Fuimaono (2), Reuben Tolovae, Andre Kahui-Singh (2), Brooklyn Harris
Conversions: Reuben Tolovae (3)
Man of the Match: Brooklyn Harris
Pakuranga Jaguars vs Point Chevalier Pirates
Half Time: Pirates 40 – Jaguars 0
Full Time: Pirates 76 – Jaguars 0
Other Fixtures:
Mangere East Hawks 22 – Manukau Magpies 40
Hibiscus Coast Raiders 12 – Mount Albert Lions 20
Richmond Rovers 28 – Bay Roskill Vikings 30
Glenora Bears 12 – Papakura Sea Eagles 36
Northcote Tigers 18 – Marist Saints 43
Otara Scorpions 16 – Otahuhu Leopards 34
Upcoming Fixtures:
Round 2, Pool A, Fox Memorial Qualifier Series- Pakuranga Jaguars Premier Men VS Mangere East Hawks Premier Men at Walter Massey Park- Saturday April 22, 2.30pm.
Round 2, Pool D, Fox Memorial Qualifier Series- Howick Hornets Premier Men VS Otara Scorpions Premier Men at Ngati Otara Park- Saturday April 22, 2.30pm.
