They got back on track with a 37-25 win over Upper Hutt Maidstone United, then finished top of the group with a 40-20 victory in a rematch against Celtic United.
"We were quite happy just to go there and participate, for the experience," said delighted coach Te Rina Peina.
"The win of the tournament was obviously against Maunkura.
"We rotated our bench magically in that game – eight minutes on, eight minutes off."
A month ago, Kaiwhaiki seemed like they were only in the Whanganui Premier 1 final to make up the numbers against an undefeated Kaierau, so Peina could not be any prouder with how the team has lifted – winning that game after extra time and then going on to hang with the best in Central Zone, while feeling they deserved to go into a higher playoff tier on Sunday.
"We only lost two games but still came ninth.
"[Against Tysons East] it was just finding our click with those three Kaierau girls.
"We only had a couple of trainings but not all of [the team] could come."
As seen from their winning margins, defence was crucial in the Sunday fixtures.
"It was a different intensity and physicality to what we're used to," said Peina.
"The defence played amazing and worked with Sarah [Teki-Clark, Kaierau] and they picked up and enjoyed the speed."
The Kaiwhaiki regulars were Sharnarose Pehi, Te Rangimarie Takiari-Cribb Maihi, Cara Blake, Kahureremoa Aki, Waimanawa Potaka-Osborne Whanarere, Airiini Potaka, Javell Pereka and Jordi-Anne Kotuhi-Brown.
They were joined by Kaierau's Teki-Clark, Te Reo Paki and Karaihi Peina.
