Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE In two representative competition games involving WRFU teams on Saturday, Wellington Maori earned their second successive RDO Cup win by beating Wanganui B 25-20 and the Wellington Pride lost to Otago 7-8 in the first round of the Women’s NPC:
At Porirua Park Women’s NPC round one: The Wellington Pride 7 (Katerina Simpkins try; con) lost to the Otago Spirit 8 (Arna McLeod try; Victoria Nafatali penalty). HT: Otago 5-0
The Wellington Pride missed out to a determined Otago Spirit in extremely testing conditions at Porirua Park. In strong wind and torrential rain for a time in the first half, the Otago Spirit scored the only try of the first half and then kicked a penalty with about 10 minutes remaining to take a match winning 8-0 lead.
The Pride hammered away right to the end and were rewarded with a late converted try to fullback Katerina Simpkins that narrowed the fulltime score to 8-7.
Otago brought a strong scrum and a hugely committed forwards effort to the contest and as a consequence the Pride were unable to mount any consistent periods of pressure.
Playing into the strong northerly, the visitors defended strongly at the breakdown and kept play tight when in possession. A succession of penalties led to Otago first five-eighth Kelly Brazier feeding right wing Arna McLeod who scored in the corner in the 21st minute to make it 5-0.
The Pride almost hit back immediately when right wing Georgia Daals kicked the ball into touch into the corner and the Wellington lineout, which was one area of dominance for the Pride, nearly set up a try.
The rest of the first half was an arm-wrestle between the 22s as heavy rain started falling. Referee Brigitte Tyler’s whistle was a constant theme as both teams infringed at the breakdown, leading to Wellington openside flanker Gina Williamson being sinbinned on halftime.
With lock and captain Jackie Patea, prop Moana Aiatu and blindside flanker Kiri Mei to the fore, the Pride came out firing in the second spell.
Restored to 15 players, they missed a big chance on 55 minutes when Mei charged down a clearing kick, Otago botched the clean up and Wellington attacked through two consecutive scrums in front of Otago’s line. But on both occasions Otago held on and they remained 5-0 ahead heading into the final quarter.
Next it was Otago’s turn to try and score again and crossed the chalk on three separate occasions only to be denied by desperate defence.
The Pride broke out from deep inside their own half through fullback Simpkins, who linked up with prop Patsy Schwalger and Mei in support in broken play. The support players poured through but once again the movement died with a turnover under Otago’s posts.
Otago regained territory and, awarded a penalty in the 70th minute, hard running second five-eighth Victoria Nafatali kicked the goal that pushed them out to 8-0.
Once more the Pride came back and were finally awarded a minute from time when Simpkins took a quick tap and darted through to score. She converted her own try to make the final score 8-7.
The Pride play their second game of the Women’s NPC next Saturday at the Petone Recreation Ground, hosting Hawke’s Bay at 12 noon.
At Cooks Gardens, Wanganui: Wellington Maori 25 (Mykel Herewini, Apa Heemi, Jesse Dolman tries; Martin Te Whetu 2 pen; con; Deina Morete con) beat Wanganui B 20. HT: 10-5
The Wellington Maori defeated Wanganui B 25-20 to register their second win of the RDO Cup competition, also involving the B teams from Wairarapa Bush and Horowhenua Kapiti.
The Maori, two-time RDO Cup defending champions, held off a strong challenge from Wanganui B, scoring three well taken tries.
Johnsonville lock/no. 8 Mykel Herewini scored one try in the first half and fullback Martin Te Whteu kicked the conversion and a penalty to give the Maori a 10-5 lead at halftime.
They kept their noses ahead in the second half, scoring two more tries, to Upper Hutt lock Apa Heemi and Rimutaka centre Jesse Dolman, and getting good value out of their reserves bench when it got close late in the contest.
The win was also well earned given the team were missing a couple of players involved in the club rugby Ambassador Sevens tournament at the Polo Ground that got cancelled.
The Maori, who have new coaches this year in Hiko Davies, Errol Weston and Dennis Ngatai, play their next match closer to home against Horowhenua Kapiti B at Paraparaumu on Saturday.
In a double round-robin to decide the winner, they then play two of their last three matches at home, against HB B at Petone on 29 September and Wanganui B at Maidstone Park on 6 October. They end their season with a much-anticipated fixture against the Wellington Samoans at Porirua Park on 13 October.
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