There is nothing better than a first up battle against your neighbours, and that is exactly what transpired for the Ōpōtiki women’s team on Sunday.

Playing at Whangaparaoa up the Coast against new recruits TVC in the Baywide Womens Championship division, Ōpōtiki fell to a 58-36 defeat.

TVC were impressive with the Kopa sisters, Dane-a, Whaiora and Zakeiya Kopa helping themselves to six tries between them.

Ōpōtiki refused to give in with player-coach Helena Coughlan helping herself to a hattrick.

Coughlan made several storming runs for Ōpōtiki and was one of the best on the paddock.

She was proud of her team and their performance, despite not getting the chocolates.

“I am always proud of the ladies. It was an awesome first game for us, a lot of learnings and a few adjustments and we should be good to go.”

She said it was exciting to have TVC as part of the Baywide competition.

“The TVC ladies were awesome. They were fast in their backline and had our ladies working hard all game. It’s awesome to have them as part of the competition.”

There were several standouts for Ōpōtiki, alongside Coughlan, Arlyce Paora had an outstanding work ethic on both sides of the ball, Chrissy Lloyd was a menace at ruck time, stealing plenty of ball, and Tarmera Katene was superb, helping herself to two tries.

Coughlan said they were looking forward to getting back out on the park this weekend. “We can’t wait to go again this weekend.

“We have two ladies receiving their blazers so it’s a big weekend for us,”she said. “They face Greerton Marist at Princess Street Reserve at 1pm, while the men’s teams, who had a bye last weekend, are away to Mount Maunganui on Saturday.