03/09/2026
In case you (somehow) missed it, your Hornsby Rugby Club has just added three more trophies to the cabinet last weekend!
Before finals, you would have seen that the Hornsby Rugby Club cemented their place as Division 3 Club Champions, taking home the Doc Harris Shield for 2026. Consistency across all four sides throughout the regular season reaped the rewards, with all four teams in finals and two winning their Grand Finals, adding to the 2026 season celebrations.
Before the first game of the day even started at Eric Tweedale Oval, the Hornsby faithful were already arriving in droves. Two busloads (102 seats, plus those that made their own way in!!!) of Lions and Lionesses arrived between 9:00am and 10:00am to show their support for the Red, Black and Gold. The vibes were high as The Nalas ran out in pursuit of three straight Joy Johnson titles shortly after 10:00am.
And that they did. They've lost just one game in three years, piled on over a thousand points and conceded a minute amount, secured two minor premierships, and on Saturday they added the third Joy Johnson trophy to their cabinet in as many years. Their success is inconceivable and their rugby prowess bewildering - there is no doubt that they are the most successful team the Hornsby Rugby Club has ever seen, and have without a doubt cemented their place in the history books for the rest of Hornsby's years to come.
At 1:20pm, the Second XV side took to the field. With a slow start to the year, Seconds took their time to hit their stride, suffering a few big defeats early on in the season. As the training started to pay off, results started to go their way. With that came belief. Belief that the side could do what no Hornsby Rugby Club Second XV side has done for 33 years. Saturday was an arm wrestle from start to finish, as half time had the scoreboard at 3-0 in Hornsby's favour, a margin that provided no comfort. A try from Old Barker in the second half saw Hornsby down 5-3, and neither team looked likely to run away with it. However, 3 more points came off Captain James Garnett's boot with a second-half penalty goal, giving the boys a 1 point lead as the clock ticked down. Defence lifted and the Lions dug in, holding out to victory and bringing home Hornsby's first ever Farrant Cup.
The buses took us home to MTO to the sound of music and the club song, and the day turned into night as the club sat around and had beers on The Rock to celebrate one of the most successful years in the club's history.
Thank you to everyone that made it possible. We look forward to seeing you on September 26 for presentation night where we can recognise those that were so instrumental in such a big year, and we can relive the season once again.
Second XV photos courtesy of Sal Kennedy. For photos of The Nalas' game, please see Len'z Lens page.
