Kia Toa made the trip up from Palmerston North on Saturday set to face a stratford women's team with plenty to work on from the week before.
Leading Kia Toa was New Zealand sevens rep Selica Winiata. During the first half she showed everyone why she's up there with the worlds best as she sliced through the Stratford defence like a serrated knife through a tomato.
Stratford put together some great phases of play and had a good deal of possession in the first half. Turnovers and failing to react on defence proved costly however and Kia Toa started to pile on the points.
Stratford were given a lifeline when Winiata departed at half time to catch a plane to Amsterdam! They took their opportunities in the second half scoring two tries and stemming the Kia Toa tide somewhat.
Stratford player of the day was Julia Albert - the 56kg winger showing no fear when trying to take down the big units of Kia Toa's front row. Honourable mention also to Leah Barnard for her leaping piggy-back tackle on the big prop. Pulling her down 10m before the try line.
