Northern Swords – 17s – Train On Squad

[Photography courtesy of Robert O’Hara, Saranis Photography]

The Otangarei Knights couldn’t repeat their 2014 fairytale story as they were bundled out of the RLN Scott Electrical Premiership in the Minor Semis against the Moerewa Tigers. For much of the game it looked like the Knights, who just scraped into the top 6, were going to succeed at the first hurdle against the Tigers. They looked composed and in control at 18 – 10 going into half time, however it was the Tigers who came of the sheds firing. The Tigers built constant pressure throughout the last 40 minutes and were camped in the Knights half throughout the second half. In all, during the second half, the Tigers scored four tries to one, to take the game away from the Otangarei Knights 28 – 22.

For the Tigers, Jayden Bentley Hape was strong in his first game back, Wilson Hona and Peter Prime linked well to give the Tigers room to move. In the Knights team Franko Newton was strong with the ball in hand, Jordan Katene led well from Full Back while Shane Herbett-Porter was a workhorse in all facets of the game. The Tigers progress forward to next Saturday where they will face off against the Takahiwai Warriors for the right to play in the Grand Final.

In the first game of the day the Hokianga Pioneers fired a warning shot to the competition as they outclassed the Portland Panthers 40 -32 in a high scoring affair. The match was a hard physical encounter, the first half was close with the Pioneers taking an 18 – 16 lead, but the Pioneers dominated the second half. They dominated on the back of uncompromising defence, that rattled the Panthers. The Pioneers won 42 – 30, with the score line a little complimentary to the Panthers who rallied too late to score a couple of late tries, but by this time the Pioneers had already had their minds focused on a Major Semi-Final against the Hikurangi Stags. For the Panthers, Hone Heke and Sharif Mangu were strong out wide and got involved in the hard graft and Levi Gavin and Josh Poasa showed some good go forward. For the Pioneers, Blueray Joyce showed his class scoring two tries, Richard Koroi led the team around in a controlled manner with Danny Makiha and Marcus Wikaira providing the go forward.

Battle of the North in the Championship

The inaugural Championship final will be an all North affair to be played between Otaua Valleys and the Pawarenga Broncos after the Broncos defeated the Hikurangi Stags at home 26 – 12, while Otaua defeated the Takahiwai Warriors 40 – 30 at Takahiwai. The Grand Final will be played on August 16^th at Toll Stadium as the curtain raiser to the RLN Scott Electrical Premiership Grand Final.

Both teams were the front runners in the Championship competition throughout the season. Otaua were relegated to third due to the failure to provide a match card for their second to last round against Horahora. Otaua and Pawarenga met in the last round of the Championship with Otaua victorious on that day winning a tight encounter 12 – 6

Otaua and Pawarenga will be playing for not only the Championship trophy but also for the right to gain promotion to the RLN Scott Electrical Premiership. With Kerikeri dropping out of the competition this year it has left a place for the Top ‘non-premiership’ team to be promoted to the top grade should they meet minimum criteria.

Junior Grand Finals – Friday August 7^th – Mangakahia Sports Complex

5.00pm – 14s – Portland Panthers v Hikurangi Stags
6.15pm – Elijah Taylor Cup 16s – Otaika Eagles v Otaua Valleys
7.30pm – Sam McKendry Cup 18s – Northern Wairoa Bulls v Marist Bros