Rugby: Waikite hope to erase memories of 2014 grand final

Waikite captain Eliza Stephens is hoping her team can go one better in this year's grand final Photo/Ben Fraser

Waikite and Tokoroa will meet in the final of the Baywide women's rugby competition.

The semifinals of the Baywide women's grade were held yesterday with Waikite beating Waimana 27-12 in Rotorua while Tokoroa defeated defending champions Arataki 25-24 during a thriller in Tauranga.

Waikite are the higher ranked side, thanks to an unbeaten run this year, and should play at home during the final this coming weekend.

Waikite's semifinal yesterday came down to the wire as they held a slim 15-12 lead over Waimana with about 20 minutes remaining. It turned into a messy last quarter of the match as both sides went in search of a winning try.

Waikite eventually put the game beyond doubt with two late tries to Mystery McLean and Autumn-Rain Stephens.

Their captain Eliza Stephens said Waimana gave them a tough run.

"When we arrived before the game, Waimana were already here at our home turf and that was quite intimidating in itself to see an away team here before we got here," she said. "So when I saw that coming down the drive I knew they were not here to muck around."

She said there was a feeling of relief after the game, knowing they had made the final.

However, Stephens said it would be daunting going into the grand final with their undefeated record on the line.

"That is quite a scary place for us, you know.

"I mean who wants to go unbeaten then lose in the final," she said.

"We always reflect on last year how we got to the final and then we lost [to Arataki], so those feelings keep getting brought back and that's where we dig deep from, we don't want that hurt again."

Stephens said they would like to hold the final this coming Saturday at Bellvue Rd if possible, otherwise they would have to play the final on Sunday.

-Waikite 27 (Mystery McLean 3, Autumn-Rain Stephens 2 tries; Noi Elmiger con) Waimana 12 (Lolly Hillman, Micky Wardlaw tries; Puhi Black con)