Waikite hit triple figures in landslide win

ON FORM: Waikite back Autumn-Rain Stephens slid over for four tries against Te Whanau Apanui on the weekend. PHOTO/FILE

Waikite backs Autumn-Rain Stephens and Animei Skudder both touched down for an impressive four tries as their side beat Te Whanau Apanui 114-0.

It was also each player's ninth try of the season so far and helped Waikite sail to their third straight win in the Baywide Premier competition.

The reigning champions, were 56-0 up at half time and slid over for a total of 18 tries in the game.

Waikite took control from the whistle and and other try scorers in the game included two from Chevy-Lee Crean and Luka Connor and one a piece for Tina Stephens, captain Eliza Stephens and Wiki Brown.

Head coach Lee Uerata admitted to not expecting to come away with such a big win and praised the leading try scorer's performances.

"We weren't expecting the hardest of games because Apanui are very much at a building stage," he said.

"But what we did do well is not to drop our level - we treated it just as if we were playing one of the top teams because each side deserves respect in the league.

"Autumn and Skudder had stand out games and were very clinical when we needed them to be. Hopefully both players can maintain their excellent early form.

"The reserve players also really stepped up as we had a few key players out. And I think that's the sign of a good team, when you can rotate your squad and still play as well."

The dominant win leaves Waikite at the top of the table on 15 points, after two previous impressive results.

However next weekend will be Waikite's first real challenge of the season as they face fourth placed Waimana at home.

And their opponents also go into the game on the back of a 54-15 win over Arataki.
"Waimana are a very tough Maori side so it will be our biggest game of the season so far," said Uerata.

"We know that they are going to have a very strong forward pack and are going to be very hard to break down.

"But the side has been building up to this, and I want to see another step up again on the weekend.

"Really the title race starts now, because over the next couple of weeks there are going to be very difficult fixtures. We have to fully focus and take control early on."

Baywide Premier Results:
Tokoroa 69 v Rotoiti 0
Waimana 54 v Arataki 15
Waikite 114 v Te Whanau Apanui 0
Rangiuru won by default over Tauranga Sports

Baywide Premier Points:
Waikite 15
Tokoroa 12
Rangiuru 11
Waimana 9
Arataki 5
Te Whanau Apanui 1
Rotoiti 0
Tauranga Sports 0