Country girls off to a flyer

We have been training for a couple of months and I guess that showed, we were probably a little more structured than the other sides.Syd Tatana, Eketahuna coach The Cross Country Rentals Eketahuna women's rugby team have kicked off their 2011 season on a winning note.
They won the women's title at the annual Hawkes Bay sevens at Waipukerau last weekend, winning all four games, including a 15-5 victory over the other previously unbeaten side Hastings in the last of their fixtures.
Coach Syd Tatana was delighted with the Eketahuna effort and is hopeful they can continue the good work when they contest the Central Districts Maori 15-a-side tournament in Palmerston North this Saturday and Sunday, when the opposition will come from Hawkes Bay and Manawatu teams.
He said the sevens was always going to be used as a lead-in to the CD tourney and he was "pleasantly surprised" at how well his players performed, both in terms of fitness and skill.
"We have been training for a couple of months and I guess that showed, we were probably a little more structured than the other sides," he said.
Tatana makes no secret that the prime objective for Eketahuna in 2011 is to lose the "bridesmaid" tag in the Wellington inter-club competition, where they have been runners-up to Norths for the past two seasons.
Indications are they will have the bulk of last year's squad available again, including Black Fern Rebecca Mahoney and other high-profile rep players Shakira Baker, Emma Aldworth and Jessie Bennett, but initially they will be without their hard-working skipper Perri Tatana-Williams, who will be taking time off because of impending motherhood. She did, however, play in Waipukerau last weekend and will be turning out in Palmerston North as well.
Talented front-row forward Kathleen Wilton is another who could be a doubtful starter for the club season as she is considering an overseas stint, with Canada her likely base if that happens.
Coach Tatana is also keen to build Eketahuna's playing strength by introducing some younger players to the team and with Mahoney's encouragement three Tararua College students are currently trying out for the side.
"We're always looking for new players and anyone who is interested in having a go is welcome to come along... the more the better."