Hora Hora cry foul after two players miss play-off games

Hora Hora are crying foul after a disciplinary hearing robbed them of two pivotal players for  tomorrow's semifinal against Mid Western.
Hora Hora assistant coach Karl Milne  hit out at the Northland Rugby Union saying that the suspension of lock Mark Bennett and second-five-eighth Robbie Murray for five weeks after a fight during the match against Old Boys last weekend, is a penalty out of proportion with the offence.
The club's contention was that they were unfairly dismissed.
"It's just a disgrace. I've lost all confidence in Northland rugby after the hearing. They were sent off for next to nothing ... we went along to the judiciary with evidence to defend the guys but it was not even listened to ... and now they're out for the season after all the time and effort they've put in," Milne said.
He said the club had then asked for a suspended sentence for their players because the Old Boys players involved in the tussle would not receive their stand-down until next season but that request was also turned down.
"It's a big loss for us, Mark does our lineout calls and Robbie does our defence, but we've got tonight to sort it out and I'm sure this will just pull the boys together even closer to fill those holes," he said.
Northland operations manager Greg Shipton said a number of suspensions had been handed out in the bad-tempered match.
"The judiciary has a job to do and any player who appears in front of it has a right to an appeal if they feel they've been harshly treated," he said.
Mid Western are likely to be the beneficiaries of the suspensions with captain Adam Clarke saying he'll take what he can get from the champions.
"It's tough on them but any bonus we get  has got to be good for us, so we'll take it," he said.
Clarke is hoping for a good start against Hora Hora.
"It's going to be interesting to see how the boys face up to semifinal football. They're all pretty young and, at the end of the day, it's a big ask. Hora Hora have been there and done that and they'll be equipped no matter what.
"The big thing will be to watch how we approach the game and, if we can muster plenty of aggression at the start,  that could be the key for us."
 In the other Southern Districts Premier semifinal tomorrow, round robin champion Mid Northern take on Wellsford. Mid Northern captain Vaughan Going is hoping his forwards can repeat the performance of last week, where they were tremendous against Mid Western, setting up a comprehensive win.
"Wellsford are very good in the loose forwards, so we'll have to work harder to retain the ball but, if we can do that and put phases together, then I think we'll be all right," he said.
 The premier reserve grade semifinal between Mid Northern and Kamo is the curtain raiser for that match at Hukerenui starting at 12.30pm, while the other semifinal between Western Sharks and Hora Hora will start at the same time at RD 1 Park in Dargaville.
The promotion-relegation match between Waipu and second division champion  Otamatea will be held at Waipu at 2pm, while in the Northern Premier competition, United Kawakawa host Kerikeri in the first semifinal at 2.30pm, while Moerewa host Ohaeawai at 2.30pm in the other.
The Moerewa match is  preceded by the Northland under-18 final between Ninety Milers and Bay Marlins, while the Mangonui final is between Te Rarawa and Awanui.