Wairarapa-Bush finished runners-up to Manawatu at the Central Districts Maori women's rugby tournament in Palmerston North last weekend but could have gone one better.
Their 14-5 loss to Manawatu in their opening match was followed by a 27-0 thumping of Hawke's Bay and coach Syd Tatana is convinced they should have won both games.
"We went to sleep in the first 30 minutes against Manawatu and that cost us big time," Tatana said, reflecting that Manawatu had run in two "pretty soft" tries over that period of play.
"We were a bit sloppy on defence and they took advantage of it, we didn't click into gear quickly enough."
But it was an entirely different story in the Hawke's Bay match, with Wairarapa-Bush starting strongly and sustaining the pressure needed to overcome a gritty opponent who, Tatana readily conceded, were tougher than the final scoreline would indicate.
"They kept coming back at us and we had to work hard for everything we got. They were no pushovers," he said.
The pace and inventiveness of the Wairarapa-Bush backs was evident, with Black Fern Rebecca Mahoney at first-five, Maia Tua-Davidson at second-five, Share Waru at centre and Shakira Baker on the wing, often making good ground in attacking situations. Loosies Perri Tatana-Williams and Emma Aldworth were major contributors up front.
Manawatu beat Hawke's Bay by just 7-5 in the other match played, enough to give them the title.
The Wairarapa-Bush Maori men's team had just the one game at their CD tournament after Wanganui defaulted first up. They met an East Coast side containing most of that province's Heartland championship side and competed well despite losing 17-28.
Nic Olson was outstanding at fullback for Wairarapa-Bush.
Rugby silver for Bush Maori women
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