Eketahuna stay hungry

Eketahuna women's rugby coach Sid Tatana isn't reading too much into his team's 31-5 defeat by Petone in their Wellington premier division match played at Petone on Saturday.
Normally never one to make excuses, Tatana was actually surprised at how competitive Eketahuna were considering the fact their numbers were so depleted, they went into the game without any reserves.
"We virtually got to 15 at the last minute. It was just one of those days where so many of the regulars couldn't make it," Tatana said. "Honestly, we did better than most of us thought we would."
The first half was evenly contested and ended with the two sides locked at 5-5. Eketahuna's points came from a try to wing Maria Edwards.
In the second spell, however, the scoring action was totally one-sided in the hosts' favour.
Eketahuna ran out of steam and Petone, which had run defending champions Norths close the previous weekend, were quick to capitalise on that point.
Loose forward Emma Aldworth was a standout for Eketahuna with her high workrate on both defence and attack and there were solid games up front too from front rowers Christine Wolland, Tere Nootai and Raylene Reiri.
A sore shoulder meant Black Fern Rebecca Mahoney moved to fullback and she was solid enough there, while newcomer Hine Mason was a handy performer on the wing, belying her lack of bulk by making a couple of try saving tackles.
Eketahuna play Oriental-Rongotai at home this Saturday and with a full complement of players expected to be back on deck, coach Tatana is anticipating a quick return to something like their best form.