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HomeNewsCommunitySports shorts (May 21)

Sports shorts (May 21)

Times Team
By Times Team
May 23, 2026
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Gladiators v Otaua Social. Wing defence, Brooklyn Tai (centre). Photo Susie Hare, Pukekohe Franklin Camera Club
  • By Head-knocked Nick

Who likes sports shorts? For those who like their sports brief – to the point, that is, not unnecessarily revealing! – we have a few short shots to share. If you think we’re not playing fair, and other teams deserve a mention, email editor@franklintimes.co.nz and he’ll look into them… the teams that is, not their shorts.

Courting victory

While the hot shots in the ANZ Premiership have already been sinking hoops for a while, grassroots players have now joined in on the action.

Recently, Susie Hare (Pukekohe Franklin Camera Club) was courtside in Waiuku as the West Coast Gladiators drew the thumbs up, winning a hard-fought game against Otaua Social by just five goals.

Hardball…

Well done to Waiuku Softball Club for smashing a home run at the recent Softball NZ Awards. Named club of the year, the local squad struck out the competition to take their win and their base – sorry, place! – on the sport’s honours board.

Clarke gains gong at Cricket awards

A swashbuckling season with the bat has earned Pukekohe Blackcap Katene Clarke due rewards at the recent Counties Manukau Cricket annual awards.

While the Northern Brave opener was named Outstanding Male Representative for the season, his Pukekohe Metro Club was recognised for winning both the T20 and two-day titles while Karaka Cricket Club was named Club of the Year.

Click here for a full list of award winners.

Keepy uppy?

Papakura City’s (men’s and women’s) teams are faring a little better, but Franklin United (men’s) seniors appear anchored to the bottom of the Northern Regional Football League (NRFL) League One.

However, youth programmes at the club are expected to ensure Franklin United has a bright future – click here to read more.

Surfing words

Featuring the NZ Surfing Champs and the latest round of the World Surf League, a little town just down the line has been centre stage recently.

NZ Surfing Champs. Photo Susie Hare, Pukekohe Franklin Camera Club

From May 15–25 radical manoeuvres have been par for the course at Manu Bay, Raglan. See surfingnz.co.nz for details.

FC(ing) A!

The Football Kingz couldn’t secure a crown, then the NZ Knights failed to fire and the Phoenix is yet to rise.

However, as our latest issue went to print, the Auckland FC Black Knights were set to slay Sydney FC in the first A-League grand final held in New Zealand – at Go Media Stadium (aka Mount Smart) on May 23.

So, we’re Hoping it will be alright on the night for the knights.

Eagle-eyed readers of our print edition may have noticed that the author of this column incorrectly stated that Auckland FC was to host Adelaide in the final rather than Sydney. It turns out Nick bet on Adelaide to win the A-League. Why he thought his deliberate mistake might help, we don’t know. Neither does he! – Ed

Head-knocked Nick. Original illustration, Roger Smith
  • Tags
  • Auckland FC
  • Blackcaps
  • Brooklyn Tai
  • Counties Manukau Cricket
  • cricket
  • Head-knocked Nick
  • Katene Clarke
  • netball
  • NZ surfing champs
  • rugby
  • soccar
  • surfing
  • Susie Hare
  • Waiuku Softball Club
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