Eketahuna influence well-deserved draw

The Eketahuna influence played a huge part in Wellington Pride securing a well-deserved 10-10 draw with star-studded Auckland in their NPC women's rugby match played at the Hutt Recreation Ground on Saturday.
Five Eketahuna players were part of a Pride side which had the strong wind at their backs in the first half and looked in trouble when they led by just 10-5 at the break.
Eketahuna first-five Rebecca Mahoney had judged the wing perfectly to convert a try scored by busy hooker Claire Rowai and also kicked a penalty goal.
Another penalty attempt from close to halfway just fell short.
Rowai's try came after halfback Tatiana Tafatu ran the short side and Eketahuna lock Perri Tatana made valuable ground before inpassing to her unmarked teammate.
Two other strong Wellington attacks in the first half also featured Eketahuna players.
Fullback Maia Tua-Davidson glided through the Auckland defence with some nifty work before passing to centre Shaira Baker who beat another couple of tackles before the ball was spilled and then Tua-Davidson again launched a counter attack which ended close to the Auckland line.
Auckland's first half try by winger Victoria Grant was the result of a some powerful surges which had the Wellington defence scattered and unable to recover.
The expectations were that Auckland would utilise the elements to dominant the second spell in terms of territory and possession and an early try to wing Angela McGregor which drew the scores level at 10-10 did nothing to blunt that prospect
However, it was not to be with a magnificent Wellington forward effort, in which
the Eketahuna duo of Emma Aldworth and Perri Tatana, were very prominent, constantly denying them the among and quality of possession they required to take control.
Aldworth, playing at No.8, was often first cab of the rank in running the ball back at the Auckland pack and seldom failed to get herself over the advantage line in doing so.
Tatana also featured in some bruising runs and was expert at cleaning up loose ball at lineout time.
Benefiting Wellington too were the trusty boot of Mahoney at first-five, who gained impressive metreage even when kicking into the teeth of the wind, and the sturdy defence of Baker, part of a midfield which were quick to shut down the speedy Auckland three-quarter line.
Fullback Tua-Davidson was also very sound on defence and quick to seize any counter attacking opportunity.
It wasn't only Eketahuna players who impressed for Wellington though.
Skipper Aimee Sutorious was probably player of the match with her high workrate on both attack and defence, lock Sanita Levave was grand value in the lineouts, hooker Rowai was a veritable energiser bunny and second-five Jesse Saolele hardly put a foot wrong.
Wellington Pride, which had scored a good win over Otago in the first round, play Manawatu at Palmerston North next Saturday with Manawatu likely to include yet another Eketahuna player in utility back Jess Bennett.