Rugby: Waikite feel big-final pressure

Waikite put their semifinal beyond doubt with two late tries, including one to Mystery McLean (right). Photo / Ben Fraser

Waikite and Tokoroa will meet in the Baywide women's rugby final.

The semifinals were held on Sunday, with Waikite beating Waimana 27-12 in Rotorua and Tokoroa toppling defending champions Arataki 25-24 in a thrilling contest in Tauranga.

Waikite are the higher-ranked side, thanks to an unbeaten run this year, and should play at home in the final at the weekend.

Their semifinal on Sunday came down to the wire as they held a slim 15-12 lead over Waimana with about 20 minutes remaining.

It turned into a messy last quarter of the match as both sides went in search of a winning try.

Waikite eventually put the game beyond doubt with late tries to Mystery McLean and Autumn-Rain Stephens.

Their captain, Eliza Stephens, said Waimana had given them a tough battle.

"When we arrived before the game, Waimana were already here at our home turf and that was quite intimidating in itself to see an away team here before we got here," Stephens said.

"So when I saw that, coming down the drive, I knew they were not here to muck around."

She said there was a feeling of relief after the game in knowing they had made it to the final.

However, Stephens said it would be daunting going into the grand final with their undefeated record on the line.

"That is quite a scary place for us, you know," she said.

"I mean, who wants to go unbeaten then lose in the final?

"We always reflect on last year how we got to the final and then we lost [to Arataki], so those feelings keep getting brought back and that's where we dig deep from, we don't want that hurt again."

Stephens said they would like to hold the final on Saturday at Bellvue Rd if possible.

Failing that, they would have to play the big match the following day.