07/06/2026
🏉 U85 Cavaliers vs Northcote Gnomes 🏉
A local derby against our neighbours is always one of the highlights of the season, and after our opening-round clash under lights left us wanting more, the Cavaliers came into this weekend’s fixture with plenty of motivation and a hunger to even the score.
Like many teams at this stage of the season, we’re experiencing a few mid-season challenges with injuries affecting player availability. However, yesterday’s match highlighted the depth we have built within the squad this year, with a number of boys stepping up when their opportunity came and making valuable contributions to get the job done.
The team put in the work during the week, arrived focused, and it showed from the opening whistle.
The first half belonged to the Cavaliers, with Ariki and Riki (father and son) both crossing the line, alongside Ioane, who also added his name to the scoresheet. Blade successfully slotted two conversions, while Bailey added a penalty goal to help us build a strong 22–7 halftime lead.
To their credit, the Gnomes never gave up. They fought their way back into the contest in the second half and managed to keep us scoreless after the break. However, our defensive effort held firm, and when the final whistle blew, the Cavaliers came away with a 22–17 victory.
Another important result that keeps our 2026 campaign on track.
A huge congratulations to the team for their effort and commitment. The willingness of players to step up and perform when called upon is a great reflection of the culture and depth within this group.
Thank you to the referee for officiating the match, and to all our supporters who braved the weather to cheer us on from the sidelines.
Now it’s back to work this week as we prepare for our next challenge at Onewa.
Up the Cavs! ❤️🤍🖤
