Rugby: Waikite defeated in intense final

Waikite player Polly Playle attacks the Arataki line during the Bay of Plenty women's grand final on Sunday. Photo/Sharp Focus Photography

Waikite have suffered a tough defeat at the hands of Arataki during the Bay of Plenty women's grand final.

Waikite and Arataki faced off on Sunday at Arataki Park in Tauranga in a rematch of last year's grand final.

Despite taking a slim lead into half-time, Waikite were held scoreless in the second half and lost the final 22-12.

Waikite won the competition last season, in its inaugural year, but will now have to wait until next season to get another shot at the title.

Waikite captain and manager Eliza Stephens said she was disappointed with the result, but was proud of the girls' effort.

"It was a spectacular game, high intensity. Both teams wanted it and it was just one of the most intense games I have had in a while," she said.

"I'm pretty happy with how our girls played, but we had some hard calls made against us and missed some opportunities."

She said they grabbed the lead in the first half but had a tough second half.

"In the first half we were up 12-10 and then we went into the second half and I got [sin] binned and they scored off that."

Both Arataki's second-half tries came late in the game to secure the title. "Credit to Arataki, they did perform well," Stephens said.

Stephens said Arataki were very good at getting quick ball to their backs and Black Fern Kelly Brazier was especially good playing at first five-eighth.

Stephens said in terms of Waikite players - Aneta Mihinui, Polly Playle and Luka Connor were all standouts.

Many of the players who competed in the final on Sunday are part of the Volcanix representative squad this year. The Volcanix will compete in the women's national competition this year. About nine players from Waikite are in the wider squad which will be narrowed down to 25 in the coming weeks.