Home semi the target for Eketahuna

A home semi-final has become the new target for Eketahuna in the Wellington premier division women's rugby competition.
Just making it to the semis was the initial objective going into the top six play-offs a couple for weeks back but two wins from as many matches has Eketahuna at the top of the points table along with Northern United, and in a position from where a home semi is very much a possibility.
For that to happen they would need to be first or second on the ladder at the end of the preliminary round in three weeks time and coach Corey Miller sees no reason why that shouldn't occur.
"Every game is tough at this level so we can't take anything for granted but aiming for a home semi is certainly realistic," he said.
Miller lavished big praise on his coaching partner, Sean Bennett, after Eketahuna ground out a hard-fought 10-0 win over Stokes Valley last weekend.
Bennett, who also coaches the well-performed Barbarians secondary schoolgirls squad, had been working hard to enhance the physicality of the Eketahuna forwards and they rewarded him with a strong showing against a rugged Stokes Valley pack.
Spearheaded by Val Rimene, Kelly Hunt, Raylene Reiri and Andrea Taiaroa.
Eketahuna earned themselves a steady stream of quality possession from all avenues of forward play.
"The tighties really had to work hard and they kept at it all the way through," Miller said.
Also vital to the Eketahuna cause was the tactical kicking of first-five Jessie Bennett who followed the game plan of keeping Stokes Valley pinned in their own territory to perfection
And when the slick Eketahuna backs were given the chance to run the ball at their opposition the input from fullback Michele Clarke often gave them added impetus.
"We scored two good tries and had another two disallowed, it was a pretty convincing win really," Miller said.
This Saturday takes on Old Boys University at their home ground and while OBU is yet to pick up a win in the top six playoffs they pushed Northern United hard last weekend before losing 17-5 and Miller is anticipating another close go.
"They (OBU) are in danger of missing the semis and that's going to make them extra keen to bowl us over," he said.
"They'll come at us guns blazing, you can bet that."