Hawk's Newsletter #13 - Time to reflect on a great season!
Results for last weekend's matches
Premier's vs Ories (Jubilee Cup Semi-final)
What an amazing season but we just fell at the last hurdle!!
Despite an even run of play, Johnsonville used the wind and the boot of Mark Sutton to amass their lead heading into halftime. Sutton kicked three consecutive penalties to put Johnsonville up 9-0, before scoring through consecutive turnovers on their own side of halfway and sweeping movements up towards the scoreboard end resulting in tries to first five Niall Delahunt and lock Anthony Pettett.
The Hawks had done well to hold Ories out in the opening minutes of play, and again midway through the half. It was third time lucky on the stroke of halftime when Ories scored to the left of the sticks to close the gap to 23-5 at halftime.
Playing with 14 players for the first 10 mins in the second half Ories started dominating possession and scored three tries back to back to take the lead 25-23. The Hawks built more pressure and were rewarded a penalty which Sutton slotted to make it 26-25. Ories impact from the bench was starting to show and more dominance saw them score 2 more tries, one being the try of the season with a cross field kick gathered in by the right winger to send Ories fans into a frenzy!
With the score 39-26 it took the wind out of the Hawks sails, they battled but Ories were just too good this time. We wish Ories all the best for the Jubilee Cup final vs Para-Plim this Saturday.
After all the emotions, we reflected the season which was outstanding! Breaking the history books, winning 5 inter club trophies and making the first semi final since 1999. We want to thank all our sponsors and supporters.
Huge shout out to our playing group that have put in the effort, we thank you for everything.
Bring on 2024.
Premier Reserves vs Ories (HD Morgan Memorial Cup Semi-final)
On another sunny morning/afternoon the Premier Reserves were on the hunt to avenge an early season loss to the Ories team. The game started off as a bit of an arm wrestle with many big collisions in the opening quarter. Johnsonville were doing well to combat a much bigger side but a few costly errors saw them lose possession in their own 22 and Ories were able to power over from not far out. The score was 12 – 0 at halftime. Johnsonville had some opportunities to get over the line, but a wayward pass, dropped ball or turnover allowed Ories to regain possession and the resulting Johnsonville attack thwarted.
The game remained quite tight in the second half and Johnsonville opted for a penalty to make the score 12 – 3. It was a struggle to get into the Ories 22 with some robust defence from the home team. Ories were able to get close to the Johnsonville line from a turnover and again powered over for a try. The game was slowly slipping away from Johnsonville but they managed to get a try pretty quickly after the Ories try. This was to make it 17 – 12 and within striking distance for Johnsonville. Unfortunately the game was opening up a bit and Ories were able to score another try and put the game two scores away from Johnsonville. A final try by Ngahau brought the end score to 22 – 17 and a Ories win.
The first time in the season when the Johnsonville premier Bs played the Ories team they were comprehensively blown off the park. The score line was circa 40 points difference in Ories favour so although they didn’t get the win on Saturday it showed how far the team had come. Some great players in the side and no doubt many will be a part of the top team in years to come. Many of the players are already there, just need to dial in their discipline around training and attendance.
Big thanks to the coaching and management for the premier B team - Sweeney, Gee, Leanne, Anya, Mone and Hendo. A great effort for a few first timers that showed how much skill they have in the coaching and management arena. An awesome bunch of people that made the job a lot more enjoyable due to their great nature. A big thanks to Susan and the Johnsonville rugby committee and also the premiers coaching/management team of Jase, Dallas, Whare and Keri. Teamwork makes the dream work! " Also, thank you to the ladies in the kitchen who provided us with delicious kai whenever we had a home game.
Premier Reserves snap at the Polo following a great campaign late on.
TERRAHAWKS 85s vs HUTT OLD BOYS MARIST HOWLERS
For a second time in as many weeks against the same opponent the Terrahawks went down in a close and thrilling one beaten 25-22 by the Howlers of Hutt Old Boys Marist. Shout out to the referee who forgot to restart his stopwatch after the oranges until 7 minutes in as the team played an extra 10 minutes, the boys couldn’t hold on as Hutt scored a try with 2 mins still to play deep into injury injury injury time to steal it. Hutt opened the scoring with a try next to the posts which was converted, this woke the boys up and they struck back with an equaliser to barnstorming no. 8 Seamus ‘the Muss’ Rowberry who bullied his way over from close range, older bro Rhion converting from a handy spot to draw level. Ill-discipline cost the boys most of the afternoon and that man again obliged for Hutt to convert a couple of penalties to extend their lead. Rhion countered back with a penalty of his own and then Eti ‘the speed’ Brown slipped through a gap like an eel on the blindside to take his try tally to 9 for the season. Rangatira Rhion converted to make it a handy 17-11 lead to the T’Hawks at the break. The 2nd half was a stop start affair with the whistle a regular feature, Hutt opened the scoring again in the half with a converted try as the lads found themselves tackling most of the half lacking possession and field position. Nick ‘the Ginge‘ Ward playing in the unusual position of lock and Brad ‘the silent assassin’ Price prominent on defence throughout with some big collisions. On one of the few occasions the boys managed to hold onto their ball and get into the Hutt half, Rhion put a nicely timed half Garryowen over the defence which was regathered by younger bro who passed onto centre Davonte ‘Up the Wahs’ Babbington who dotted down to make it 22-18 T’Hawks. The rest of long half belonged to Hutt and the whistle to go over to steal it with a converted try.
Point scorers: Seamus Rowberry, Eti Brown & Davonte Babbington – tries. Rhion Rowberry – 2 conversions & 1 penalty. The Roosters Decorators Man of the match – Nick Ward. Next game for the lads is this weekend at Hell Park vs the Seagulls 1pm in the battle of the bird gang. Looking forward to seeing the Blue Mafia on the hill - Get ya shirt off ! The Terrahawks would like to thank the following sponsors for their help in 2023:
Mighty Cripples vs OBU 69'ers
Cripples played the last round robin game for our 1st round. 13 games done. Down on numbers. 3 boys stepped up to help our Bs. But the boys filled the gaps and played well. A few positional changes smoking OBU 69 ers 53 to 19. Finishing 2nd with 11 wins 2 last minute losses. Playoffs next Weekend 2 vs 3. Big game vs our old Foe Poneke Ruffnuts back to Mahi Wednesday. For us a new challenge. Big ups to our Prems and Bs not the results we were after but I know the club and fellow players are proud of the season you boys have played. Up the Hawks!
Pressies vs MSP
Pressies had a home game as curtain-raiser for the Prems this week, as we were opening up for a big match the Pressies had to put on a good game. It all came down to the last 5 minutes of the game where the pressies got the winning try and held off the MSP team to win 10-5. We would like to thank the MSP team for changing around the game times for us so we could be the curtain-raiser game as well as the supporters who turned up to watch. It is so good to see so many supporters coming out each week to support these men. Thanks to my guys for turning up each week to play and to the injured who turn up to support their team mates.
Premiers (and more) greet the Pressies onto the park.
Pressies and MSP as one.
Draw for this week
Despite the Premiers and Premier Reserves concluding their seasons in tough fashion last week there is still plenty of great rugby to be watched. The Cripples are in the hunt in their qualifying quarter final of the John Davies Cup and also the Terrahawks and Pressies in action. There is also Finals Day out at Hutt Rec for those taking keen to see the victors of the Jubilee (Para-Plim vs Ories) and Hardham Cup's (MSP vs Petone).
The combined Newlands / Onslow First XV take on Aotea at Aotea College at 1pm. Can the lads possibly notch a first upset win in the grade!?
Poll for this week
So many highlights in the Premiers season. Which out of the following did you rate most?
- Making the Jubilee Cup semis for the first time since '99
- Winning 5 inter-club trophies throughout the Swindale
- Jacob's try vs Tawa (after the breakout from near the 22)
- Mark amassing 194 points across both comps!
Other Notices
Well the season is over for the Prems & Reserves, thanks both teams for the great rugby you have provided your supporters with, you can all hold your heads up very high with results this club has not seen in years, thanks also to all managers, & coaches that are a huge part of getting the teams to where they are.
We still have three teams playing so get along & show them support this Saturday.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Trina Wichman on passing her test this week & is now a fully licensed bar manager, well done Trina.
To Ants Pettett and James Douglas for representing the Wellington Lions vs South Canterbury on Wednesday in their Ranfurly Shield defence. Hopefully Ha'amea's injury is getting on the mend to see him back in there soon also!
FOODBANK
The foodbank box will be taken to Newlands foodbank next week, it's by the kitchen & there is still time for teams to donate an item which will help people in our community over the winter months...Thanks.
Apologies for the late newsletter this week, it's been a busy week. Good luck to our teams this weekend.
Cheers
Cherie, Trina & Blair.