Brianna Stockman (right) scores the second of her two tries for Waitete in their 27-24 win against Kihikihi in Te Kūiti on Saturday. Photo: Laura Adams
The Waitete women have hung on to their unbeaten record, but only by the skin of their teeth.
Chasing their third win in as many games and with moments on the clock, Waitete pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat as lock Paea Perawiti dotted down to seal a 27-24 win against Kihikihi in Te Kūiti on Saturday.
The winning play came off the back of Kihikihi’s ill-discipline, the backline not retreating 10 metres from a Waitete line-out to give the home team one last opportunity, which they took with arms wide open.
It was a game that could have swung either way as both teams jockeyed the lead, but in the end it was Waitete who took the spoils and delivered the crowd a win in their first home game of the season.
The game was played under New Zealand Rugby’s ‘Game-on’ rules, where a competitive game can still be played with low playing numbers due to Kihikihi only turning up with 15 players.
This saw a shorter 60-minute 12-aside game played, making for more space and plenty of running rugby through the course of the game.
Both teams played a mix of direct running and expansive play, while Kihikihi regularly turned Waitete around with kicking behind the line through first five-eighth Rinoa Day.
These kicks were generally disarmed well by Waitete fullback Chanelle Macrae, although one instance led to Waitete left winger Ebonieshy George tackling a fast-approaching Kiriana Nolan without the ball, for which she was yellow-carded midway through the first half.
Kihikihi went into the break with a slim 12-10 advantage, but Waitete kept coming at them through bullocking runs from captain Charlie Hill, tight forwards Brianna and Kylah Stockman, as well as centre Tara Kingan making a number of line-breaks.
Waitete had the game tied up with five minutes to go as Brianna Stockman broke several tackles on the way to score her second try of the day, only for Kihikihi to hit straight back through Nolan in the corner.
The third win on the trot has Waitete sitting on top of the Waikato Women’s Championship (14 points) ahead of Taupiri (10 points) and United Matamata Sports (nine points), who Waitete play at home on Saturday.
In King Country premier men’s club rugby, Taupō Marist has taken first-round bragging rights, going through unbeaten after seeing off Taumarunui Districts 20-12 in the top-of-the-table match in Taupō on Saturday.
It was the one the punters had been begging for as both Marist and Districts had won all their games up until then, and although Marist won the arm-wrestle to retain the Hetet Shield, there’s no doubt Districts will already have June 27 circled on the calendar for the return match in Taumarunui.
Back home at Rugby Park, Waitete sliced and diced the Taumarunui Eels to return to winning ways 62-12 in a one-sided round seven affair.
The blue bellies bounced out to a 31-0 lead after a rip-roaring opening quarter, thanks to tries from Wiremu Harris, Baven Brown Jnr and David Tutaki plus a double to first five-eighth Callum Hedley.
Eels plugged the holes to slow the blue wave of points and forced Waitete into a dogfight for much of the game, but Waitete’s sheer energy and execution was too much to contain.
Nevertheless, the red-and-blacks retain fourth spot and this week head to Taupō to stave off Taupō Sports, who are coming off a brutal 55-12 win over Piopio.
Waitete are off to Taumarunui to seek revenge for their first-round loss against Districts, while Waitomo return from bye week to host Piopio.
Brianna Stockman (right) scores the second of her two tries for Waitete in their 27-24 win against Kihikihi in Te Kūiti on Saturday. Photo: Laura Adams
Sports’ three from three
Ōtorohanga vice-captain Liam Fox kicks a conversion in Te Awamutu. Photo: Ōtorohanga Sports Club
Ōtorohanga Sports’ senior sides played three away matches on Saturday and came away with a 100 per cent success rate.
The premier gold side beat Te Awamutu Sports 31-26 at Albert Park.
Fullback Jake Laurent, captain Manaaki Rewi-Wetini and flanker Mitch Lewis scored tries in the five-point victory – as did midfielders Manieta Vonovono and Waisea Taninaloka.
Vice-captain Liam Fox kicked two conversions and Rewi-Wetini one.
In the earlier clash, Ōtorohanga Sports blues beat Te Awamutu Sports B 46-24.
Winger Isoa Dobui once again scored two tries, as did Turuva Lumelume and centre Pex Bukavesi.
Other scorers were outside backs Josh Jolly and Gabriel Simpson.
Halfback Shannon Yorke added three conversions.
This Saturday the men’s sides will face United Matamata Sports at Island Reserve.
Ōtorohanga women beat Putāruru wāhine 27-5 at Nola Block on Saturday.
Halfback Klee Begbie crossed the chalk in her hometown.
Right winger Katie Corbett, left winger Kura Edwards, centre Koiatarau Edwards and reserve Tayla Toa were fellow try scorers.
Toa also added a conversion off the kicking tee.
The Ōtorohanga women host Hamilton Marist-University combined this weekend for a full day of home rugby.
Former Waikato loose forward Murray Iti in action for Ōtorohanga against Te Awamutu Sports. Photo: Ōtorohanga Sports Club
