Waitete lost for the first time this season to competition lead-ers Taupiri-Te Kauwhata 24-10 in Te Kūiti on Saturday. Pic-tured is Waitete fullback Chanelle Macrae. Photo: Laura Ad-ams
Waitete’s women suffered their first loss of the season against competition favourites Taupiri-Te Kauwhata in Te Kūiti on Saturday, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying.
The 24-10 result was enough to see Taupiri-Te Kauwhata leapfrog Waitete on the ladder to take control of the Waikato Women’s Championship with a week to play in the regular season.
Previously unbeaten, with only a 12-12 draw against Morrinsville blemishing their record, Waitete needed to see where they sat as finals footy draws closer.
After having to play golden oldies scrums against Kihikihi and United Matamata Sports, Waitete finally got the chance to test their scrum, which they did with all the mana and pride supporters would expect from a King Country club.
They asserted themselves as the dominant pack early, and largely matched Taupiri-Te Kauwhata’s physicality in the collision and tackle ball area.
Patience served the visitors well, as they were forced to retain and recycle possession for long periods, slowly breaking the Waitete defence down to eventually lead 12-0 at half-time.
With tactician Chanelle Macrae out with a leg injury suffered in the Morrinsville game, a tiring Waitete pack hung tough in the second half, largely reverting to tap-kicks and scrums from penalties
Waitete remained persistent and showed heart to eventually crack the visiting defence through a try to Abbe Putaura with 20 minutes to go, only to let them in shortly after to trail 19-5.
Time was running out for Waitete, but a determined charge from Matewehe King saw her score the Blues’ second try to give them a chance in the last 10 minutes.
It wasn’t to be as Taupiri-Te Kauwhata secured their unbeaten record and the victory spoils with a late try.
Both teams will be better off for what was a highly-competitive game of rugby.
Waitete coach Jason Turner was happy with how the girls were tracking but highlighted the importance of learning how to finish opportunities to win the big games.
“I think that was our best performance to date, credit to the ladies for all the hard mahi that they have put into themselves to get here. I’m happy and proud at where we are at and I feel and know the girls feel they have more to give,” Turner said.
“Our girls have got a lot of heart and grit, so it’s just micro-skills needing work; nothing major, so I’m very happy,” he said.
In the King Country premier men’s competition, both Piopio and Waitomo suffered severe King’s Birthday weekend defeats to Taupō Marist (72-0) and Taupō Sports (104-0) respectively, while Waitete had the bye.
The Taumarunui derby was a doozy as expected, with outsiders Taumarunui Eels sneaking a 16-15 win against their rivals Taumarunui Districts to keep things interesting with four rounds to play.
This week, Eels get to test themselves again as they host competition leaders Taupō Marist, Waitete head to Owen Delany Park to face Taupō Sports and Waitomo welcome Districts to the caves, while Piopio are on bye week.
King Country Premier Club Rugby standings: Taupō Marist 42, Taumarunui Districts 34, Waitete 31, Taupō Sports 29, Taumarunui Eels 29, Piopio 17, Waitomo 5 (one win attributed to each team for a bye).
Waitete lost for the first time this season to competition lead-ers Taupiri-Te Kauwhata 24-10 in Te Kūiti on Saturday. Pic-tured is Waitete fullback Chanelle Macrae. Photo: Laura Ad-ams
