Goal-kicking proves the difference for Ngati Porou East Coast women

LOOKING FOR SUPPORT: Eastern Bay of Plenty-Muriwai defenders Jade Stacey (left) and Hinehou Savage (second right) try to halt the progress of Ngati Porou East Coast ball-carrier Billie Delamere, while the Coast’s Kimi Parata comes up in support. The Coast won this game 26-20.Picture by Darryl Crawford

Everyone loved it.

The Ngati Porou East Coast women and the Eastern Bay of Plenty-Muriwai Maidens brought their special brand of rugby magic to Kahuitara and supplied a fairytale finish to boot.

The Whetu Haerewa-coached home team won 26-20. Both sides scored four tries. The goal-kicking of Kyra Dewes — three conversions — proved to be the difference.

Referee Eruera Kawhia did a great job in his usual courteous and even-handed, approachable way.

Sky Blue captain and halfback Shirley Mullany-Mato had good reason to be proud.

“It was a great game for our newbies, for them to learn from players of experience, because those Eastern Bay women are tough,” said the skipper, ahead of her crew’s 12 midday clash with Poverty Bay at Kahuitara tomorrow.

Openside flanker Te Pare Hillman-Kaafi won Eastern Bay of Plenty’s MVP (most valuable player) award.

Mullany-Mato scored the opening try between the posts, 15 minutes in, for 5-0. Centre Katarina Ngarimu scored next, from a chip-and-chase, in the 20th minute. With the conversion from openside flanker Dewes, the Sky Blues led 12-0.

Eastern Bay of Plenty blindside flanker Shinoa Nikora struck for the visitors after 30 minutes, and in the 34th minute, Eastern Bay lock Talita Rika scored to cut the Coast’s lead to two points, 12-10, at half-time.

Following the resumption, right wing Southern-Rose Fraser dotted down in the 49th minute and — with the conversion by Dewes — NPEC went 19-10 up.

The visitors then scored through captain and loosehead prop Janie Kaafi on 60 minutes and halfback Puhiaurangi Black on 75 to take a 20-19 lead.

But Coast reserve left wing Aputehira Shelford sealed the deal for the Sky Blues three minutes from fulltime. Dewes kicked the last conversion, for 26-20.

Opotiki women beat NPEC 52-27 at Princess Street Reserve, Opotiki, on October 3. Saturday’s game was the EBOP women’s first in nine years.