Auckland FC – they are the champions!

Last weekend served up a feast of sport, but the main course came courtesy of Auckland FC’s A-League Grand Final win.

Play of the match, Cameron Howieson hit the back of the net as the clock hit the sixty-minute mark, the Knights then fended off Sydney FC’s attempts to equalise and the rest is history.

As minor premiers, the Black Knights earned the right to host the league’s first final on New Zealand soil and fans took advantage of the occasion with almost 30,000 packing out Go Media Stadium (formerly Mount Smart).

Having spent almost 20 years with Sydney FC, winning the A-League as a player and coach along the way, Auckland coach Steve Corica predicted home ground advantage would benefit his squad.

“We’ve always wanted to get the people of Auckland right behind us,” he said prior to the final.

“They have done that from the start… and it’s a sold-out crowd. There’s no better way than winning a grand final than in front of your home fans.”

In other news…

The Stockyard was also packed as the Franklin Bulls clipped the wings of the Hawkes Bay Hawkes on Saturday.

The 98–82 victory sees the Bulls regain their winning ways as the business end of the competition unfolds.

Currently sitting middle of the pack, the Bulls are on solid footing for a late season run.

Another hoop code team stuck in the middle, the Stars could be forgiven for seeing stars – somewhat dazed – following a string of losses.

Saturday’s home court loss to table-topping Tactix (52-47) was not what the coach ordered. However, it’s likely the ANZ Premiership squad will be even more fired up when tackling the 0–7 cellar dwellers, the Magic, this coming weekend in Hamilton.

Counties Manukau club rugby is in full swing. Ardmore Marist is in the box seat (Men’s Division 1) with Pukekohe and Karaka rounding out the top three with five round remaining in the McNamara Cup regular season.