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
Another last gasp win has put Waitete’s women on a collision course with Taupiri in a top-of-the-table shoot-out in a few weeks time.
For the third week in a row, Waitete left it to the dying moments to get the job done 24-22 against United Matamata Sports, thanks to a 72nd-minute try to number eight Amber Karipa and the important conversion slotted by fullback Chanelle Macrae.
But they had to fight for it in much the same way as they did against Kihikihi the week before, keeping Matamata scoreless in the second half to claw a 22-10 halftime deficit back inch by inch.
Silly mistakes cost Waitete dearly, but hopes of mounting a comeback was restored when prop Charlie Hill crashed over for her first try in blue early in the second half to see Waitete trail 22-17.
Waitete had Matamata under the pump for large parts of the second half but couldn’t make them pay until Karipa dotted down for her second try of the match, Macrae’s conversion sealing Waitete’s unbeaten record after four rounds.
The win sees Waitete in second place (19) behind the other unbeaten team in the Waikato Women’s Championship Taupiri (20), who they are set to face-off against in round six scheduled for May 30, but it may potentially be played on May 29 because of the long King’s Birthday weekend.
Saturday’s assignment against the fifth-placed Morrinsville at Campbell Park poses another tricky game, as Waitete negotiate a potential banana-skin game away from home.
In the King Country premier men’s club competition, Waitomo had their best showing in a while, but ultimately still fell short to go down 38-14 against Piopio at the Waitomo Domain on Saturday.
Tries to Phil Lord and Gareth Owen kept Waitomo in touch with Piopio for most of the game, but the boys in green-and-gold eventually got the job done thanks to tries to Chaye Havea, Jack Ormsby, Paiaka Muraahi, Isaac Buckman, Ceiran Rogers and captain Nathan Crooks.
Waitete had high hopes of getting one back against Taumarunui Districts after dropping a winnable match in week one against the 2024 champs, but once again they came up short in a tightly-fought 12-7 loss in Taumarunui.
Former Bush United midfielder David Tutaki scored Waitete’s only try of the game, while Semesa Bainivalu and Kolinio Vukialau scored for Districts.
It was an important match in the scheme of things with the two teams sitting in second and third position on the ladder, so a win would go along way to securing a home semi-final on July 4.
Districts (33) once again lead the competition to overtake the unbeaten Taupō Marist (32) who had the bye, Waitete (26) continue to hold third with Taupō Sports (22) rounding out the top four following their comprehensive 69-22 win over Taumarunui Eels in Taupō.
In Saturday’s week-nine action, Piopio host the Taumarunui Eels in a crucial game for both side’s top-four ambitions, Waitomo take on Waitete at the Waitomo Domain while Taupō Marist and Taupō Sports go head-to-head in Taupō.
