Bronze floats her boat as coach calls it a day

Wairarapa women's canoe polo team coach Brenda Clayton says her team has done her proud on the eve of her departure.

The team won bronze at the national league canoe polo finals in Naenae over Queen's Birthday Weekend.

Clayton, who has coached the team for six years, said a bronze was a great way to end the season.

"Going into their final as the underdogs, having lost to their opposition the Valkyries on the Saturday, the Wairarapa team knew they needed to work hard and work as a team if they were to pull off a victory," said Clayton.

Facing the Valkyries, Wairarapa went two goals down by halftime, but evened out in the second half.

"The second of these goals was scored by Olivia Samuel, who is a first-year player.

"Olivia managed to lose her paddle on a fast break and had to use her hands to get to the ball and shoot and score."

Wairarapa scored again to make it 3-2, then held out the Valkyries for the final minutes.

"The girls have worked hard for the past year to get where they are," said Clayton.

"From here a number of the girls will be trialling for the central regional teams, and the NZ teams later in the year."