Rugby: Breakthrough win has Volcanix eyeing future

FIRST WIN: Volcanix player Hana Tapiata runs the ball hard against Hawke's Bay on Saturday. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

The Bay of Plenty Volcanix have got the monkey off their back - winning their first game since rejoining the Women's National Provincial Championship.

The Volcanix played Hawke's Bay on Saturday in their round three match at the Ngongotaha Domain, beating the visitors 21-19. It was a massive result for the Bay side, who rejoined the competition last year and went winless in 2014.

Despite having a player in the sin-bin during the second half, while trailing 19-17, the Volcanix battled back well to win, with Mystery McLean-Kora crossing for the match-winning try.

Volcanix coach Pere Paul said the win would give the players plenty of confidence.

"The players can believe that we can win now. It is not about when and how we will win any more," he said. "It is onwards and upwards from here and we are targeting a few more games this year."

He said the players just kept trusting in the structures and their teammates this season, and the reward finally came on Saturday.

"We had a really neat debrief after the game [on Saturday] and it was about belief and knowing we can play as a team," he said.

He explained they had about six contracted New Zealand Sevens players in the Bay who were not available to play for the Volcanix. As a result, it meant they picked the entire squad from the local Baywide competition and had tried to build a strong family culture within the side.

Paul said having more teams in the local Baywide women's competition earlier this year had helped strengthen women's rugby in the region.

"It is encouraging to know we have a wider spread with Tokoroa coming into [the local competition] this year and it made the selection process for the Volcanix a lot larger and better."

The Volcanix have a bye this coming weekend before they fly to Dunedin to play Otago in a fortnight.