CLUB RUGBY: Titleholders triumph over Hora Hora

Mid Northern are set to defend their title after pipping Hora Hora 23-18 in the Southern Districts Premiers semifinal clash at Hora Hora.
Last year's premiers will meet Mid Western in this weekend's final, after Mid Western defeated Kamo 33-14 at Maungakaramea on Saturday.
Mid Northern first five-eighth David Holwell said his team had anticipated a tough game from Hora Hora, and got exactly that.
"It was a good win considering 10 minutes into the second half we were out on our feet. Hora Hora are a quality side and playing semifinals rugby they keep coming at ya. It was a hell of a game of rugby," Holwell said.
The Mid Northern defence did well to contain Hora Hora's backs, limiting their ball possession and for most of the match shut down Northland's Warren Dunn, who scored five tries in his last outing for Hora Hora against Marist.
However, Holwell said his side had not focused on any individuals heading into the clash.
"Hora Hora are quality across the park and if you focus on a player, you get stung somewhere else. We just tried to hold on to the ball, along with getting a bit of territory - and play good rugby."
Mid Northern dominated a scrappy first half, although the Hukerenui boys struggled for some time to crack the hardened Hora Hora defence.
Holwell kicked a penalty to put the visitors into an early lead, and then added another halfway through the first 40 when the team were down to 14 men, after Brad Taylor was sent to the sin bin for a late tackle.
The Mid Northern forward pack battled it out with Hora Hora, with lock Buster Tahere gaining some good metres, and although Hora Hora had opportunities, Mid Northern eventually scored at the end of the half, with No8 Jamie McQueen wrestling his way over the chalk for a try, which Holwell converted. Hora Hora fought back in the second half and closed the gap to 3-13 with Doc Tuariki kicking a penalty just after the break.
Only minutes later, Hora Hora's backline finally freed the ball and got it moving, handing it to Dunn playing centre, who dotted down an unconverted try.
With Hora Hora looming in on Mid Northern, relief came when Holwell kicked another penalty to extend his team's lead again, to which Hora Hora replied with a penalty of their own, nudged over by halfback Karl Milne.
The game swayed the visitors' way when hooker Paul Sacanell scored a converted try in the right corner with 10 minutes left.
Hora Hora made a late charge and sent Jarred Wendt across the line, but Mid Northern held on to the end to claim the win.
While keen to make it two premier titles in a row for his side, Mid Northern stalwart Holwell said Mid Western would be no easy ask for his "ageing team" to beat.
"Mid Western have been the performing team all year. There are a lot of good young athletes in their team, but we will ... throw everything into it," he said.