Spectators who turned out to watch the Howick Hornets Rugby League Football Club premier team’s latest home game at Paparoa Park were treated to a back-and-forth spectacle of physical, running rugby league. The Hornets’ premier side took on the Hibiscus Coast Raiders at Paparoa Park in Cockle Bay in their latest Sharman Cup match on May 17 before a crowd of more than 100 people. The Hornets were coming off a 18-28 loss to the Northcote Tigers in Birkenhead on May 3 followed by a 40-18 win over the Glenora Bears at Paparoa Park on May 10. The game against the Raiders was an even contest with both sides scoring well deserved tries and giving their respective fans plenty to cheer about. Unfortunate handling errors and a failure to execute several attacking opportunities ultimately doomed the Hornets, who came up short by a score of 20-28. They next take on local rivals the Otara Scorpions at Ngata Otara Park at 2.30pm on Saturday, May 24. To see photos from the Hornets’ game against the Raiders click here.