The most recent round of matches was nearly perfect for the Eastern Bay’s four women’s rugby teams competing in the Baywide competitions.

In the women’s premiership, Poroporo and Rūātoki showed they’re not to be discounted with cracking wins.

Poroporo produced a 24-22 victory over Mount Maunganui, while Rūātoki outclassed Tongariro 32-17 to stay in fourth place.

Ōpōtiki won their championship match, while Waimana fell just short of making it the perfect weekend with a one-point loss to Greerton.
Poroporo coach Geri Paul was stoked with the performance of her team.

“It felt good to get a win, and it just so happened to be against the Mount. It shows that the growth from the first round, where they won 29 – 0, to this round is there.”

While it was an impressive team effort, she highlighted two players who stood out – hard-working forward Amanda Wilshier, who helped herself to a try and kicked a couple of goals and the ball to touch for penalties, and Hazel Gates, who at just 16, led the team around the park superbly at first five with line breaks and plenty of turnovers.

Paul said the win was great for their confidence as they come up to a difficult stretch.

“The win gave us the much-needed breathing room from the bottom of the table. And only two points away from playoff contention.”

It’s the second time in the past two years that they’ve beaten Mount Maunganui.

She said the performance came from within and was evidence of a tight unit.

“I think the team bonding has come from the team itself. The girls are quite a vibe … And when you've never had a full bench for six out of the seven games so far, you tend to get to know your teammates pretty well.”

This Sunday will be a tough challenge against competition leaders Ngongotaha.

“I'm expecting Ngongotaha to be fired up after losing to Rangataua.  But we can't wait. What better way to test yourself than against the leading team.”
Rūātoki played some good rugby in their win against Tongariro and sit fourth in the standings, pleasing captain Ereti Williams.

“We’re very happy with the win. Moreso because it keeps us in the running for playoffs and away from the relegation zone, but also it was awesome to win at home in front of our community and whānau.”

Williams said they’d shown plenty of promise the past few weeks despite being hit hard with injuries.

“We've had someone different ruled out for the season each game, but then we’ve had girls born and raised in Rūātoki who are dusting their boots off to help us out.
Our goal this year is to progress each game, which I think we are doing.”

This weekend, they come up against a Mount Maunganui side, which will be hurting.

“There are a lot of friendships between the two teams, and they are coming off a loss, which was great for Poroporo last weekend. Hopefully, we can make it two wins in a row for the Eastern Bay against them.”

Player wise, there’s been plenty of standouts from Rūātoki across the board.

The Ōpōtiki women's rugby team has booked their ticket in the top four of the Baywide women's championship.

Ōpōtiki finished the regular season in second place after losing just once this season, to a strong Whakarewarewa outfit.

While Sunday's clash against the Kahu Pirates was a scrappy encounter, Ōpōtiki, with multiple changes, did enough to score a fantastic 49-20 victory.

The second round of the championship starts this weekend, and they face a difficult assignment with a clash against Whakarewarewa first up at Princess Street Reserve.

For finishing second, Ōpōtiki get two homes, which could be crucial.

Player-coach Helena Coughlan, who played at halfback this week following recent stints at first five eighth, said she had a good plucky win by her side.

“For not having had training for two weeks, our ladies did well. We made it harder for ourselves by going to the game plan and setting our pods, but overall our ladies did well to adjust and get the win.

Coughlan said they had come a long way over the season.

“Now we are in the top four, we play Whakarewarewa at home, Te Puna away and Kahu Pirates at home, an awesome advantage having two home games.”

Coughlan said the victory over Kahu Pirates was enjoyable because they were always a tough side to face.

“It’s always a team effort for how well our players play each week but a standout was Leilah Amai, one of our youngest players, who went from the backs to open side flanker and made several strong runs onto the ball, plenty of chop tackles and broke the opposition line on numerous occasions.

“It’s been amazing watching her confidence grow in herself and as a player at every game, especially with her coming back from surgery on her shoulder, to doing what she is in games.

“Wency-Ree [Rewi] has been a big asset to us this year and deservedly dotted down for a hat trick in the game, but also many other tries in the previous games. Our forwards have been doing the real mahi though, Arlyce Paora, Tarmera Katene and Kohitu Mokomoko have made big impact for our team, gaining yards and continually making strong carries into contact and tackling hard.”

Jocelyn Franklyn usually plays in the loose forwards, but with Ōpōtiki short on personnel at the weekend shifted out to the backs and played well.

“I’m proud of my ladies, growing the culture within our team but also building safe environments for our young players and our tamariki to be proud of.”
Coughlan expects a good tough game against Whakarewarewa this Sunday and hopes for a big bunch of home fans to help spur them to victory.