Tasman Makos: News

Women show huge gain

10-Sep-2007

The Tasman women's rugby team produced its best result of the season despite a 7-16 loss to Canterbury Metro in Blenheim on Saturday.

Tasman ended the season without a win, but Saturday's result at Lansdowne Park was a marked improvement on its previous 10-34 loss to Canterbury Metro in Christchurch two weeks earlier.

Tasman also contributed the best try of the match - an outstanding individual effort by first five-eighth Dana Wilson, who jinked through a gap from 60m out just four minutes before halftime and weaved her way to the line.

Wilson's spectacular effort helped to put Tasman ahead 7-5 at the break after Canterbury halfback Aleisha Waller had scored in the ninth minute after receiving a pass from No 8 Carla Mackie from an attacking scrum.

But that was one of few defensive lapses for a committed Tasman side who tackled aggressively throughout. Tasman was forced to repel numerous attacks near its line as Canterbury enjoyed a huge second-half territorial advantage.

The pressure finally paid off when big right winger Manu Fetu burst through with nine minutes remaining to help put her team clear at 13-7. A final Canterbury penalty ended the scoring.

Tasman was forced to work hard against a bigger Canterbury side, with lock Rhonda Snowden making an outstanding contribution. She was prominent in the lineouts, including a couple of early steals off Canterbury throws, and also set a fine example with some aggressive tackling.

CANTERBURY METRO 16 (Aleisha Waller, Manu Fetu tries, Nicole Lacunza pen, Guiliana Petronelli pen)

TASMAN 7 (Dana Wilson try, Penny Stickney con). Ht 5-7.