YOUTHFUL PANTHERS OUT TO CAP STUNNING SEASON WITH GF VICTORY
Hornby has taken the CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership by storm in the club’s first season back in the competition, culminating in a grand final appearance this Sunday after ending Linwood’s reign in last week’s sudden-death semi.
Youthful exuberance and attacking flair have been trademarks of the Panthers’ campaign – traits they won’t be trying to curb on the CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day stage at Ngā Puna Wai against the seasoned Sydenham Swans.
“Obviously the girls are nervous being a young side, but they’re pretty excited,” coach Tai Arona said.
“There was no expectations in getting here, but they’ve enjoyed the small moments in making the grand final. They can’t wait for Sunday.”
The Panthers made an immediate impact with a 64-6 opening-round win over Eastern Eagles, before producing gritty performances against 2022-23 grand finalists the Swans and Keas over the ensuing fortnight.
Eventually landing third on a tight CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership table, the Panthers carved out an emphatic 26-10 semi-final win against the two-time defending champs at Linwood Park – their first match in three weeks following a default and a bye.
“Playing an experienced, very good side like Linwood, you don’t know how you’re going to perform and we just got off to a hot start,” Arona reflects.
“It became a grind later on, but coming from [third] and working our way up, we’re just happy that we won those little moments and it was especially satisfying.
“We’ve made some small changes depending on who we play, we found there was some stuff that worked against Linwood when we went to the edge.
“With Sydenham, we’ve got to maintain their power pack in the middle – that’s their strength – but they’re strong out wide also, our work’s definitely cut out for us.”
Second-rower Iokapeta Fetu – who scored two early tries in the semi – and halfback Leah Stewart were Canterbury 16s teammates only last year, while the likes of prolific pointscorer and vice-captain Kyra-Lee Westland, Tiara Te Maari-Whiley, Ella Busssey-Timo and Tyler Limmer played together in the 2023 Canterbury 18s side.
The collective youth of the Hornby line-up places greater importance than usual on the squad’s experienced campaigners, like skipper Katey Arona, Jerusha Whiley and Dayna Napa – all grand final stars with the Swans in seasons past.
“The majority of the young ones are inexperienced, but they’re willing to try for each other and they play what’s in front of them.
“It’s an open book for them to just play how they see the game.
“Katey Arona has been a really big mentor for the team, a lot of the girls haven’t been in a grand final before.
“We’re relying on a couple of our experienced girls to hold it together for our 17- and 18-year-olds.”
The Panthers’ coaching staff also provide a wealth of big-game knowledge to the green squad’s pursuit of grand final victory.
Tai Arona, a premiership-winning captain in the 1990s and assistant Jonny Limmer are Hornby royalty. Meanwhile, Arona credits trainer and fellow Panthers player Veaga Fetu as a vital part of the team’s 2024 success.
It’s a huge CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day for the club, with the Panthers also facing Halswell Hornets in a blockbuster Pat Smith Trophy Challenge men’s decider – and the women’s team is fizzing to be part of the occasion.
“We’re fully supportive of our men’s team, they’ve led the way for a few years now and with Jed and ‘Baxy’s’ last games – and I know they won’t want to make it be all about them – we want to make sure we get behind each team [from Hornby],” Arona says.
“Whatever the outcomes may be, I know everyone at the club will be super proud of their achievements, from the younger grades right through [to our men’s and women’s teams].”
