Hawk named in Wellington Lions

By Frank Neill

Johnsonville Rugby player Ha’amea Ahio has been named in the Wellington Lions squad that will defend the National Provincial Championship (NPC) title.

Ha’amea, who plays as a prop, is among the 40 player squad announced by the Lions head coach, Tamati Ellison, on 31 July.

The Lions will kick off their NPC season when they play Manawatu at the Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North, on 5 August.

This follows two successful Ranfurly Shield defences by the Lions to get their 2023 season under way.

In their first defence the Lions cruised to a 68-7 win over Horowhenua- iti at Levin Domain on 12 July.

Wellington then defeated South Canterbury

Waterside and Miramar respec- to claim sixth spot.

All teams now have 14 games under their belts with the fourgame sprint to the finish still to play out.

In the Women’s Central League, it was situation normal for the top two contenders, Wellington United and Waterside Karori.

United retained their one-point lead after a solid 4-0 at home against Mana Coach Services North Wellington.

Waterside Karori travelled to Arena Manawatu to face Palmerston North Marist.

Waterside book ended the match in their 2-0 victory with a goal to Kennedy Bryant after just five minutes and a penalty to Nikki Furukawa with a little under 10 minutes to full time.

Seatoun will be scrapping it out with North Wellington for the wooden spoon after they lost 2-0 at home to Victoria University. Taradale had nothing to show for their road trip to Petone with the home side prevailing 4-0.