Lytton hold out GGHS after first-half try blitz

AND STILL CHAMPIONS: Lytton High School rugby team retained their Ngati Porou East Coast Secondary School girls’ title, beating Gisborne Girls’ High School in a thrilling final. The players are, back (from left): Jordyn Tihore, Ceyne Tahuri, Tiyla Hotu, Karen Matiaha, Shaniqua Casey, Amoe Wharehinga, Anahera Whaanga-Smith, Te Ao Haturini-Mihinui, Phoenix Tumanako. Front: Tiana Tumanako, Kataraina Te Puni, Rhythm Monika, Shakyra Telfer, Hinewaipounamu Rangihuna, Kelsey Teneti, Pounamu Wharehinga and Jasmine Ward (blue boots). Picture by Liam Clayton

A first-half try blitz laid the platform for Lytton High School’s second Ngati Porou East Coast Secondary School Girls’ rugby title.

Lytton High School beat Gisborne Girls’ High School 31-24 in a thriller at the weekend.

Horouta waka ama and Poverty Bay hockey representative Kelsey Teneti scored two tries in the opening 15 minutes to give Lytton a tremendous start to the final.

Poverty Bay netball representative Manaia Hutana followed up with two tries as Lytton dominated the early stages.

Lytton’s Phoenix Tumanako then took advantage of some good play from her teammates to score a five-pointer.

Rythym Monika was on form with her goalkicking, landing three of the five tries.

Gisborne Girls’ High School then produced an outstanding fightback in the second half, with tries to Tui Aupouri, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Maryanne Vilea and New Zealand under-18 sevens player Azalleyah Maaka, with Kayden Moeke kicking two conversions.

Competition organiser Trish Hina said she was “very impressed” with the standard of girls’ rugby.

“Each year the girls are becoming more confident in their game and improving their skills,” she said.

“The credit goes out to the awesome coaches, who volunteer their time in developing the sport.

“Girls’ and women’s rugby is enjoying some high profile at present, which is exciting for the sport.

“One of the goals we had this year was to hold as many games as we could on the Coast and we held three weeks of competition at Tolaga Bay Rugby Club, where Darryl Crawford and Tolaga Bay Rugby Club did a great job supporting the girls.

“The final capped a good season.”