Waikite go down after match starts without them

CHARGING: Waikite's Sharni Waretini hits a gap during a game against Rangiuru earlier this season. Waikite were beaten 54-25 by Rangiuru on Sunday. PHOTO/FILE

Waikite's hunt for a home semifinal in the Cup will come down to the last game of the round robin - after they lost a match that began in bizarre fashion.

The Rotorua side went down 54-25 to Rangiuru on Sunday.

Waikite captain Eliza Stephens said her side was put on the back foot early in controversial circumstances.

With Rangiuru already on the field, the referee ruled the Waikite players were taking too long to come out of the sheds and blew the whistle to start the game.

Rangiuru kicked off and scored an unopposed converted try.

"The ref blew the whistle and we were just coming out of the changing rooms.

"After about 30 minutes we had a player yellow carded for a high tackle - the odds were against us from the start," Stephens said.

Despite feeling as though they were on the wrong side of some of the decisions made, Stephens gave credit to Rangiuru and said they deserved to win.

"I believe the ref had a major impact on this game.

"Not taking the fact away from Rangiuru, they did play well and they won very well.

"Once again their backs and their kicking game were on point and their support play was good."

Stephens said Waikite kept their heads up and worked well as a team.

They are now turning their focus to an away game against Rangataua on Sunday, which will determine whether or not they get a home semifinal.

"We will be moving on from this game - there are a few finer points we need to work on.

"Our forwards are working very well, they're leading from the front, but I suppose it's us backs who have a few things to work on.

"Just reading the play a bit more and reading the kicks, they used a variety of kicks - grubbers, downtown or chips over and it's just our wingers and fullbacks being able to read those plays."

Rangiuru manager Raewyn Whareaorere said the way the game started was unfortunate and "definitely not in the spirit of the game".

"Especially since they were out of the shed on their way to the field.

"But you always have to play to the whistle.

"We were just as perplexed about the decision as the Waikite team were," Whareaorere said.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union was unable to comment on any refereeing decisions from the game as it had not received a complaint or information about the incident.

Meanwhile, in the Trophy division, Whakarewarewa won by default against Apanui and Rotoiti had the bye.

Baywide Premier Women's:

Rangataua 44 v Waimana 0
Rangiuru 54 v Waikite 25
Whakarewarewa v Te Whanau Apanui - Te Whanau Apanui defaulted