Whakarewarewa have come out on top in another enthralling local derby, beating Rotoiti 33-10 at Emery Park.
It was a game played with the sort of passion you expect from these derbies, but also in good spirits - a great advertisement for women's rugby between two sides boasting squads full of first-year players.
Whakarewarewa were hot out of the blocks in the first half, dominating the early territory and possession. They turned the dominance into points when lock Renee Fletcher, who has been a standout all season, raced through a gap to score.
Minutes later they were in again, through flanker Chelsea Hepi, who sliced through a gap 30m out and showed great pace to sprint away and score. Whakarewarewa led 14-0.
After looking a little ambushed in the early stages, Rotoiti started to work themselves into the game. They had Rotoiti pinned in their own 22m for long periods, showing great patience as they inched their way towards the line. That patience paid off when prop Adelaide Te Are bulldozed her way over the try line in the corner to reduce the deficit 14-5.
In halfback and captain Polly Playle, Rotoiti have a genuine star of the game and shortly before halftime she showed why. She took a quick tap 40m out and found space on the left wing where she shifted into top gear and left defenders in her dust to score. Whakarewarewa led 14-10 at halftime.
Whakarewarewa second five Teiria Sandle runs the ball against Rotoiti. Photo / Stephen Parker
Whakarewarewa absorbed some early pressure in the second half before working their way back up the field. After several phases Fletcher was over for her second try, under the posts, and the lead was extended to 21-10.
The second half was hard-fought, but Whakarewarewa's ability to turn pressure into points was the difference in the end. Sandle scored her second try before hooker Terri King added the cherry on top with a late try under the posts from close range to make it 33-10.
Despite the loss, Rotoiti captain Polly Playle said it was a fixture both sides enjoyed playing in.
"Whaka are awesome, we knew we were coming out for a good battle. Being our sister club in Rotorua, it's cool to come out and have a good battle against them.
"I thought our forwards did really well ... they were quite organised early, which we've been practising - getting set early to get some good go forward. They stuck to their pod structure really well, I think that's where we were strongest today," Playle said.
Playle is one of few experienced players in the Rotoiti squad this season, 11 have never played before this year, and she said it was "really exciting" to see so many new players coming through.
Rotoiti lock Holly Curtis runs the ball during her side's 33-10 loss to Whakarewarewa. Photo / Stephen Parker
"It's so cool, we've been training now for a while and just to see how much they've improved from pre-season to now, you never would've known that half our team is new to the game this year. They're actually coming up on par with some of the experienced players which is cool."
Whakarewarewa coach Ron James said his side's performance was "a step up from where we were".
"Personnel-wise, we were down a few players again today in a few key positions, so it was good to see some girls step into those positions and perform. Our set piece is starting to come together too, which is really good.
"I think in the second half the girls started to see where the space was and started playing to that. There were a few times they had a bit of tunnel vision, but we showed some good control," James said.
