League: Northern Swords happy with effort

The Northern Swords women's side showed tenacity at the NZRL National Women's Tournament in Auckland. Photo/Northern Swords Facebook

While the Northern Swords women's side may not have won any games at the NZRL National Women's Tournament, the ripple effect of their participation could bring about a renaissance of women's league in Northland.

The side finished last after going down 18-10 in their playoff match against Waicoa Bay Stallions, but the spirits were high in the playing group.

Manager Chantez Connor said they were proud of their efforts.

"We didn't win any games but I think we played really well. We didn't get smashed by everyone considering we were in the death pool," she said.

"The girls enjoyed it. It was a great eye-opener as to what standard we need to be at next time around. It's all positives around where we are at and where we want to be next year.

"It was a great game against Waicoa Bay. We almost got there. The girls just wanted to get on the board in each match. The aim today was to get three tries but even though we only got two, we were happy."

The Swords were drawn in the pool of death, having to face defending and eventual 2017 champions Counties-Manukau, Auckland and Canterbury.

They took on Canterbury in the first match, going down 46-0, before showing a lot of fight in their 22-6 loss to Auckland.

Counties proved too strong in their 54-0 win over the Swords, but the Northlanders showed tenacity against Wellington in their playoff match to be even at 8-all going into the break.

Wellington eventually ran out 28-8 winners before the 18-10 loss to Waicoa Bay Stallions.

The results, however, become secondary in the grand scheme of things as their appearance at the national tournament could lead to more women taking up the code.

Connor said they would take everything they could back from Auckland to implement into Northland.

"The goal is to make a strong club competition in Northland. We hope the nationals will be a foundation that will encourage our young women to take up league," she said.

"They'll go home and take what they learnt from the tournament to help develop their own clubs. Our Swords side got the balance right in the tournament.

"Throughout the competition we were acknowledged for being there and really welcomed by the competition.

"We just need to continue to be sustainable going forward."