Mako women open with 65-12 win over Taranaki Whio
The Tasman Mako women started their 2018Farah Palmer Cup rugby campaign in impressive style, blitzing fellowchampionship side Taranaki 65-12 at Sports Park, Motueka today.
BY PETER JONES [Marlborough App]
The Mako showed their intent almost fromthe kick-off, scoring six first half tries to lead 34-0 at the break. YoungsterHannah Beech on the wing, one of four Nelson schoolgirls to feature in thefast-paced clash, picked up the first two.
Immediately after halftime fellow wingerAmelia Hammett scored a hat-trick of touchdown to ensure there would be nocomeback from the ‘Naki women, who were thoroughly outplayed, ultimatelyconceding 11 tries.
Mako coach Marty O’Cain admitted he wassurprised by the margin of victory. "It was a little unexpectedactually,” he suggested.
"We have had a bit of a disruptedbuild-up … it’s been hard to get the full squad together. We have had to goover a lot of things and when I sat down with my assistant coach during theweek we said ‘we haven’t done this, we haven’t done that,’ so we were trying tocram things in and honestly I thought we were under-prepared - but obviouslywhat we did train on worked for us.
"Last season we had a goodstructure but we often ran out of steam, couldn’t follow it through. This yearwe tweaked a few things and it seemed to work.”
O’Cain said a few players stood outamong a solid team effort.
"Tamara Silcock at lock went well, Jess Foster-Lawrence played strongly at6, and No 8 Niska Scott was a bit of an unsung hero. We had two outstandingbacks in Crystal Mayes (15) and Hayley Hutana at centre, their experience waskey to our effort."
He also pointed to the fact thatsecondary school students Demi Salton, Rheanna Wood, Hannah Beech, Leah Milesand Sophie O’Cain were involved, a healthy sign for the future of the women’sgame in the region.
Despite their blazing start, O’Cain saidthe girls "have to get their feet back on the ground pretty quicklybecause we have Auckland next on Eden Park next Friday evening. That will bethe big test.”
Tasman Mako 65 (Amelia Hammett 3,Crystal Mayes 2, Hannah Beech 2, Hannah Kelly, Stephani Mitchell, TamaraSilcock, Michelle Curry tries, Hayley Hutana 5 con) v Taranaki Whio 12.HT: 34-0.
