Rugby: Hora Hora surge to 5th title

Hora Hora's women's rugby team turned around a two-point halftime deficit to defend their Northland women's club rugby championship title over Ohaeawai.

Hora Hora's 10 unanswered second half points proved to be the most valuable of their season as they won 15-7 in front of a vocal home crowd in driving rain.

After Hora Hora scored first on Saturday, Ohaeawai went ahead through a converted try by No8 Hikitea Wikaira which gave the visitors a 7-5 lead at the break.

However, in true champion form, Hora Hora were not done yet. They scored against the run of play in the second half, through a run up the blindside, and followed with a late try to seal the result and secure the championship for the fifth consecutive year.

Ohaeawai coach Melvin Rameka noted the challengers had a number of tries disallowed and put this down to faint and fading field markings which made it difficult for all involved at times.

"Hora Hora went through the motions, dominated both halves, Ohaeawai fronted with some very hard defence, [made it] very hard to penetrate," said Rameka.

A big crowd was present, despite the terrible conditions, and Rameka said not one would have gone home disappointed with what was a real showcase for women's rugby.

"It was fantastic," he said, while placing the focus on the improvement his girls had made throughout the season, after having lost their first encounter with Hora Hora 77-nil, and the second by 32-10.

Several players from the competition may go on to represent Northland in secondary schools rugby this year, while plans to return Northland to the women's national provincial championship next season are put in place.