In the Under 16 Girls Grand Final, it was the Hornets taking on the Penrith Panthers.
The Victorious U16 Girls with Coaches Mel Mitchell and Sophie William, and Manager Anthony Jack.
Given the Hornets and the Panthers were in a tight tussle for the Southern Conference Club Championship, the result in this game that would go a long way to deciding who would be Club Champions. The Hornets had sailed through the pool stages undefeated, only conceding 5 tries over 5 round games and 3 finals games. The Panthers had a tougher run into the Grand final, with a draw in both their quarter and semi final – they progressed on the back of being first try scorers in both games.
In contrast to the previous Under14 Girls Final, it took 4 minutes for the crucial first try to be scored. It was the amazing Waiaria Ellis with a wicked left foot step that left her defender diving at thin air. Ellis then launched a ball over the top to Lily Jack who dived over in the corner. The Hornets were up 3-0. (watch Waiaria in action below)
The Panthers hit straight back in the following set of 6 to make the score 3-2.
But the comeback was short lived. The Hornets scored off the very next set of 6 with a well worked Ninja play with Rastalia Smith putting Milli Hollis over for her first try. The lead was now 5-2.
Ava Jones – Player of The Final
Minutes later it was Waiaria Ellis working down the field with Player of the Final, Ava Jones. Ellis picked up from dummy half, and this time with a right foot step and a dummy that split the defence wide open. She then found Nadelle Harrison with a neat pass, who dived over for the try. The Hornets were now leading 7-2, and it appeared a long way back for the Panthers.
In the 12th minute, it was Smith again, executing a carbon copy of the earlier ninja play. Smith once again feeding Hollis for her second try. The lead was now 9-2.
The Hornets jumped ahead further in the 15th minute when Logan Lemusu split the defence from dummy half and then threw a pass to Lily Jack who dived full length to catch the ball and score her second try of the Grand Final. With the lead now at 11-2, the Panthers were going to need to score more tries than the Hornets had let in for the entire tournament to overhaul the lead.
The Panthers attempted a number of raids on the Hornets line in the final 10 minutes, but 1 try was all they were going to get. The Hornets ran out convincing winners 11-2.
Final Score
Hornets – 11
Panthers – 2