- By Josh Garry
The business end of the men’s rugby league season has arrived, meaning it’s finals time in the first division Fox Memorial Premiership.
Auckland Rugby League’s Premier level currently consists of two divisions, the Fox Memorial and the Sharman Cup.
With the 2020 & 21 seasons cancelled prematurely due to Covid, 2022 has seen a joint competition, featuring ARL’s 19 current premiership clubs, all vying for the big prize.
With this year’s combined competition split into two sections, Howick knew early on that they had a tough assignment, with fellow first division heavyweights the Point Chevalier Pirates and Mount Albert Lions also in their pool.
While these two clubs were always going to pose a challenge, it was the lesser ranked clubs that proved early on that they were to be taken seriously.
After beating the Lions at Paparoa Park to open the season, Howick travelled to Bay Roskill and, for the second year running, were beaten by a very determined Vikings side, going down 30-28.
Thankfully for Hornets fans, that close loss would prove to be one of only two during the regular season with the side going unbeaten through the next six rounds, only dropping the last game to current competition leaders Point Chevalier.
Going into the finals series, the Hornets’ top side sit in second position for their pool, earning them a week off this past weekend.
As for Howick’s Premier 1st team (reserve grade), they also had a strong season and finished the round robin in 3rd, which saw them host the Northcote Tigers on Saturday.
In front of a healthy crowd at Paparoa Park, the Hornets were most certainly in finals mode put on a show for the fans.
Every player performed his role superbly, especially Howick’s ‘back three’, consisting of Brooklyn Harris, Chevez Hughes-Tafunai & Tamati Gribble, but the crowd will tell you it was impact forward Tuiloma Futi, who was making metres and busting tackles for fun that really kept the Hornets on the front foot.
Final score Howick 50 – Northcote 10.
This week, Fox Memorial major quarter-finals:
Howick Fox Premiers v Bay Roskill Vikings, Saturday, 2.30pm, Paparoa Park, Field 1.
Howick Premier Firsts v Manukau Magpies, Saturday, 12.45pm, Moyle Park, Field 1.
Howick Premier Women v Otahuhu at Paparoa Park, Sunday, 2:30.
Hornets’ Ladies have worked hard to be in a good position, pressing for 4th spot after three wins in a row and two games still to play in their debut year in the first division.
