After their semi-final victory at the weekend, the Howick Hornets Rugby League Football Club’s premier women will make their maiden women’s premiership grand-final appearance.
It wasn’t exactly the fairytale weekend the club wanted however, with their Fox Memorial premiers and premier reserve men both being defeated convincingly in their respective semi-finals.
It was always going to be a difficult weekend for the Hornets premier men, who were tasked with defeating the reigning Fox Memorial Premiership champions, the Point Chevalier Pirates at their home ground.
The Pirates rushed to a 30-4 lead over the east Aucklanders at half-time.
The home side kept their foot on the throat throughout the second half, comprehensively beating the Hornets 58-10.
The Hornets Fox Reserves had an arguably more heartbreaking loss against the Otahuhu Leopards in their semi-final after leading by two points at halftime.
Otahuhu stunned their home crowd and dominated the second half to come away with a 44-24 win.
As for the ever-reliable Hornets premier women (Nets’), their golden season has continued with a semi-final win against City at the weekend.
The game was as close as it gets, with leads changing multiple times, and the ‘Nets having to dig deep at the death with some desperate goal-line defence.
They came away with a 22-18 win, thanks to points from a few regulars on the score sheet. Lisa Edwards Rua, Mele Fotu-Moala, Zayde Sarah-Baldwin and Malia Tova all crossed for a try each and clutch scrum-half Platinum Marsters had three conversions.
The ‘Nets will play their maiden grand final at the NZ Warriors’ home, Mt Smart Stadium in two weeks’ time.
Auckland Rugby League semi-final results:
Fox Memorial Premiers
Premiership SF1: Richmond Rovers 8 – Papakura Sea Eagles 6
Premiership SF2: Point Chevalier Pirates 58 – Howick Hornets 10
Plate SF1: Mount Albert Lions 16 – Manukau Magpies 4
Plate SF2: Te Atatu Roosters 32 – Glenora Bears 6
Fox Memorial Premier Reserves
SF1: Point Chevalier Pirates 24 – Richmond Rovers 18
SF2: Otahuhu Leopards 44 – Howick Hornets 24
Women’s Premiership
SF1: Mount Albert Lionesses 20 – Otara Scorpions 4
SF2: Howick Hornets 22 – City 18
Auckland Rugby League finals fixtures:
Fox Memorial Premiers
Premiership Final (1st place playoff): Point Chevalier Pirates vs Richmond Rovers at Mount Smart Stadium, Field 2 (Saturday, August 19 @3pm).
Plate Final (7th place playoff): Mount Albert Lions vs Te Atatu Roosters at Mount Smart Stadium, Field 2 (Sunday, August 13 @12.45pm)
Fox Memorial Premier Reserves
Final: Point Chevalier Pirates vs Otahuhu Leopards at Bruce Pullman Park, Field 5 (Saturday, August 12 @2.30pm).
Women’s Premiership
Final: Howick Hornets vs Mount Albert Lionesses at Mount Smart Stadium, Field 2 (Saturday, August 19 @12.30pm).
