Eketahuna scored an upset 20-7 win over unbeaten Norths in their Wellington premier division women's rugby match played in Wellington on Saturday.
"It shocked us as much as it shocked them," Eketahuna coach Sid Tatana said of a victory which came on the back of some indifferent showings from asquad struggling to replicate the form which saw them win both major trophies in the Wellington competition last season.
In fact, they had been forced to default their previous game against Old Boys University because of a shortage of players.
Tatana said there was "absolutely no doubt" that a decision to dedicate the match to the memory of the team's most ardent supporter - the late Roger Taylor, whose funeral was last Friday - played a big part in Eketahuna's gutsy performance.
"We talked a lot about wanting to put up a good showing for Roger," Tatana said. "And having members of his family there made it even more important in that respect. It was huge motivation for us."
Played on a wet, muddy surface the match was always going to revolve around which of the two sides dominated up front.
With Norths having a well-earned reputation for the physicality of their forwards that did not bode well for Eketahuna.
As it happened the Eketahuna pack more than held their own in all aspects of the forward battle and the backs complemented them well with tactics aimed at playing the game in opposition territory.
The scores were level 7-7 at halftime with Eketahuna scoring 13 unanswered points in the second spell.
The tight five of Kelly Hunt, Christine Wolland, Jonene Batchelor, Raylene Reiri and Angie Taiaroa were grand value for Eketahuna as were the loose trio of skipper Perri Tatana-Williams, Heta Edwards and Emma Aldworth.
The forwards were invariably kept on the front foot by the astute tactical play of halfback Shaan Waru and first-five Tatiana Tafafu.
Good use too was made by the powerful punting of fullback Rebecca Mahoney in defensive situations.
Meanwhile, the Ruamahanga Colts were beaten 52-19 by Tu Tora in their Manawatu colts competition match on Saturday.
Ruamahanga paid the price of a slow start but had the better of the second half, scoring two of their three tries in that period. Cody Thompson, Sean Robinson and Joe Dahlberg-Paku were the try scorers and Issac Albrett kicked two conversions.
