Feilding Old
Boys Oroua 33
Wairarapa Wahine Toa 12
Wairarapa Wahine Toa assistant coach Brent Gare is thrilled with the never-say-die attitude of the side in their opening round game of the Manawatu Women’s Premier Championship.
The Wahine Toa went into the clash with the Feilding Old Boys Oroua at Kimbolton on Saturday as rank underdogs but a far different side than the one that struggled through their first season in the competition in 2022, including a 67-0 drubbing at the hands of the defending champions.
Gare felt the players had benefited from working hard on their fitness in the off-season and had a better preparation than in their inaugural season, and that showed with the closer scoreline.
“I was really impressed, and there was massive improvement on last season, and we had the perennial never give up attitude, which was fantastic to see. “ Gare said.
“We played well, but there were probably a few too many errors, and we blew a couple of tries, and the score didn’t reflect the closeness of the game.”
Gare added the game was the first in their new strip, and that gave the players an extra sense of pride and motivation.
Fullback Navengka Jellie crossed for the Wahine Toa’s first try of the season in the first half, while first-five Kate Donald added the second and converted it in the second stanza.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Wairarapa side on Saturday up against 2022 runners-up Kia Toa in their first game at the new home ground at the Solway Showgrounds, with kick-off at 1pm.
