It was the only realistic chance of a win this season for the Hawke's Bay Tuis women's rugby team and they blew it.
"We're our own worst enemies. We can't blame the travel like last week or the referee. We made too many errors and drifted away from the game
plan," Tuis coach Tom Blake said after Saturday's NPC third-round 22-19 loss to Bay of Plenty in Rotorua.
His team, which enjoyed 70 per cent of possession, trailed 7-5 at halftime but led 19-17 when Bay of Plenty scored the match-winning try during the final minute of play. Another sinbinning took the Tuis tally to four in three games.
"We're top of the lists for sinbinnings, errors and missed tackles," Blake said.
Props Sharlena Maui and Natalie Cotton both battled effectively for 80 minutes while flankers Laurae Blake and Naomi Hunt had massive workrates in the Tuis pack. Experienced halfback Gemma Woods and centre Jaimee Edwards were the best of the Tuis backs.
