Rugby: Karamu composed in retaining title

Karamu High School celebrate a second consecutive Hawke's Bay Secondary Schoolgirls rugby title yesterday.

"That's the double I promised ... I'll see you next year for the three-peat."

These were the words of jubilant Karamu High School loosie Tamia Edwards after her team beat Napier Girls' High School 19-5 in yesterday's Hawke's Bay Secondary Schoolgirls rugby final at Karamu.

After scoring two tries in last year's final, she promised her team could repeat their unbeaten run in 2015 and they did.

Even with two players sin-binned for 10 minutes each in the 40 minute final Karamu conceded just one try.

"I saw the girls get their yellow cards but I wasn't worried. We know how to support one another when the going gets tough," Edwards said.

"We only lose four players from this year's squad next year ... I'm confident we can get three-in-a-row," the Year 12 student said.

Edwards, 17, made three appearances as a substitute for the Hawke's Bay Tuis in last year's NPC and her goal this season was at least one starting XV appearance. It was Edwards who opened the scoring with a run away try in the 10th minute after Napier had dominated.

Fellow loosie, captain Hera Kahukura, was also inspirational in a pack well-drilled by coach Tom Blake. Fullback Talon Robinson and second five-eighth Niamh Jefferson were classy in the winning backline.

Kahukura praised the Napier side for giving her team their hardest match of the season and the improvement they displayed since their 45-0 loss to Karamu in round robin play.

Considering Karamu's sin bin issues and a 13-5 penalty count in their favour, Napier should have scored more points.

They were guilty of sticking to the short game when an expansive approach would have resulted in tries.

Versatile forward and captain Forne Burkin and prop Jennifer Simati were prominent in the Napier engine room. First five-eighth Teilah Ferguson and centre Kresna Crouch were dangerous when opportunity arose in the visiting backline.

Scorers: Karamu High School 19 (Tamia Edwards, Talon Robinson, Moki Akurangi tries; Cortez Te Pou 2 cons), Napier Girls' High School 5 (Hayley Baker try). HT:14-0.