Rugby League: Boxon under-13s wrap up grand final

Wanganui Boxon Rugby League Photo/File

The under-13 team flew the flag for the Whanganui Boxon club this season by wrapping up their grand final with a 44-4 win over the Kia Ora Warriors on the Manawatu Rugby League finals night recently.

Boxon entered the game as heavy favourites, having won their previous matches by margins upwards of 20 points, however they conceded the opening four-pointer at Arena Manawatu.

Nonetheless, Mid Central Zone general manager Lisa Reweti said Boxon hit back with a try immediately and from there got their flow going to raise another 40 points.

"An awesome effort by these young players with 14 of these boys selected to represent Manawatu in the Mustangs 13's representative squad for 2014."

At Boxon's recent junior prizegiving, the under-13 coach Haki Herewini said he had to thank his players for their sheer enthusiasm and hard work.

He said attendance at training was always high.

"The extra whanau members - manager 'Big' Al Titter and trainer Jay Pepere - made his job as coach so much easier," said Reweti.

"The whanau support for these boys has been terrific throughout their season with drivers, managers, coaches and players' parents all doing their part to ensure the boys could attend the MRL games each Friday night at the Arena Manawatu."

The under-15 and under-17 Boxon sides reached the semifinal stage of their junior divisions.

Award winners at the Junior Prizegiving were:

Under 17 - Best Back: Robbie McFarlane; Best Forward: Sonny Raraka; Player of the Year: Ngarimu Hurunui.

Under 15 - Best Back: Corey-Lee Robertson; Best Forward: Paki Ngaira; Player of the Year: Aarron McLeod.

Under 13 - Best Back: Hennessee Nahona; Best Forward: Jamie-Lee Robertson; Player of the Year: Brooklyn Herewini.