Eketahuna have score to settle

Black Fern Rebecca Mahoney has a big score to settle when Eketahuna take on Northern United in the grand final of the Wellington women's rugby competition which will kick off at 11.15am at Memorial Park, Masterton, on Saturday morning.
Remarkably, although Mahoney has played in 10 club finals during her star-studded career and she is yet to be part of a winning combination. "Maybe I should stand on the sidelines this time.
"Seriously though, I'm sick of losing games like this, I need to get that monkey off my back."
Eketahuna have played Norths in the last two grand finals of the Wellington competition and, each time, it has been Norths who have come away with the Victoria Tavern Trophy.
In the only meeting between the two sides this season, Eketahuna won by a comfortable margin and, with only one loss in 2011, they will be the favourite on Saturday.
Mahoney though is too experienced to take anything for granted, emphasising that when it comes to grand finals it is all about producing on the day.
"I think all the girls realise this is it, that everything which has gone before counts for nothing."
Mahoney is mindful too of the need for Eketahuna to discount the mixed form shown by Norths in their lead-up games as an indication of their true ability. "You get the feeling there might be a few players coming out of the woodwork now they've reached the final. They'll be up for this one."
Tactically, Mahoney says Eketahuna will be looking to play the expansive style of rugby encouraged all season by their "very astute" coach, Sid Tatana. Which means, in effect, that if the opportunity is there to run the ball even from their own goal line they will be prepared to do so. First-five Mahoney admits the willingness to attack from basically anywhere has led to her seldom putting boot to ball despite her hefty punting's rating as her greatest attribute.
"I'm probably only kicking three or four times a game now, it's more about passing and running and scoring tries. Yes, it can get a bit risky but it's enjoyable and entertaining and we love it."
The strength of the Eketahuna squad is evidenced by nine of their players being involved in a trial match on Sunday from which the Wellington Pride provincial side will be selected. They are: backs Shakira Baker, Maia Tua-Davidson, Laura Gavin, Heidi Whitman, Tatiana Tafafu and Mahoney and forwards Emma Aldworth, Kelly Hunt and Shaan Waru.