Cyclones fancy first shot at semifinals

There won’t be any need for nerves for the Manawatu¯ Cyclones if they win this weekend.

Manawatu¯ host Hawke’s Bay at the Arena today and a win will guarantee them a spot in the Farah Palmer Cup semifinals for the first time.

But if they lose they will have have a nervous wait to find out whether other results go their way to make sure they don’t drop out of the premiership top four.

Hawke’s Bay have already confirmed their spot in the second-tier championship.

Cyclones coach Fusi Feaunati said they had done their homework for the Hawke’s Bay clash and he liked the energy shown by the team this week.

‘‘If you really want something we have to go after it and go after it hard,’’ he said.

Reaching the semifinals for the first time is a motivating factor for the side.

Feaunati said their efforts in the first 50 minutes of the 31-10 loss to Waikato last week were good and hoped they could repeat it, but just needed to finish things off.

Star fullback Selica Winiata has overcome her concussion symptoms but still has to be cleared by New Zealand Rugby, so is still unavailable.

Hawke’s Bay will be without key first five-eighth and former Manawatu¯ Cyclone Krysten Cottrell.

The Mcbeth-attenborough Trophy is on the line for this match and will be presented by John Mcbeth after the game.

Mcbeth coached Hawke’s Bay and Rangi Attenborough coached Manawatu¯ for the first women’s provincial match 38 years ago.

In 14 clashes between Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu¯ , they are level on seven wins each.

Manawatu¯ won this clash 86-8 in Napier last year, but Hawke’s Bay are much improved this season.

❚ The Manawatu¯ under-16s finished third at the Hurricanes tournament this week after they thrashed Poverty Bay 62-10 on Thursday.

Earlier losses to Wellington and

ALISON PRICE/SPOT ON PHOTO Manawatu¯ rider Ella Miranda won all five of her classes last weekend at the Manawatu¯ Pony Club Show Hunter Championship. This is the first time in the event’s 12-year history that one rider has won every round that they competed in. Over the two days of competition, each rider competed in four show hunter rounds and one equitation round. The four show hunter round scores were added together to obtain an overall category winner. Rangit¯ıkei Pony Club’s team came out on top, followed by Horowhenua Yellow from the Horowhenua Pony Club. The Manawatu¯ Divas from the Manawatu¯ Pony Club were third.

LAWRENCE GULLERY/STUFF The Manawatu¯ Cyclones have a chance to qualify for the Farah Palmer Cup semifinals for the first time.