Norths hoping to pull clear of the pack in Women’s rugby

Round 7 of the Fleurs Trophy reverts to Saturday morning after last Friday night’s round of matches.

Leaders Northern United have the chance to put themselves clear on the table this weekend when they host Avalon at Porirua Park. After winning the top-of-the-table clash with Oriental-Rongotai two weeks ago they made no race of things against minnows Johnsonville, while the Avalon She-Wolves had few issues in seeing off Poneke.

Avalon will be without loose forward Carol Sio, who is one of four Wellington players at the Black Ferns camp and trial in Palmerston North this weekend, though they may have the services of sevens representative Kat Whata-Simpkins. Norths seem likely to be at or near to full-strength, and will defend the Challenge Cup for the first time after winning it in that clash with Ories.

One note – this match is on the #3 field at Porirua Park, with the main ground now in use as a training venue for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Hutt Old Boys Marist continue to be competitive for large parts of their matches against the established sides, restricting Old Boys University to only two tries in the opening half last Friday night. They get a first outing on the main pitch at the Hutt Recreation Ground, and a further chance to test themselves when Wainuiomata visit. Wainuiomata had last weekend off with the bye, but lost out to OBU in their previous outing. This match also has implications for the makeup of the five sides that will progress to contest the Victoria Tavern Trophy in the second half of the season.

Third-placed Old Boys-University has the opportunity to cement their place in the second round when they play Poneke at Nairnville Park. The Impalas were made to work hard by HOBM before easing out to a comfortable win in the second half, while Poneke will look for a bounce back effort after losing out to Avalon.

The final match is at Lyndhurst Park, where Tawa are scheduled to meet Johnsonville in a battle of the two winless teams. Both sides will be looking to get something into the wins column, as well as making additions to their points for side of the ledger.

Oriental-Rongotai has the bye this week.

Competition play has also kicks off in the College Girls grades this afternoon. In the eight-team Premier 1 (12-a-side) grade St Catherine’s started their title defence against Sacred Heart at Te Whaea, Porirua are at home against Taita, and Aotea are hosting Wellington East, all at 4pm; while Wainuiomata and Paraparaumu meet at the Maidstone artificial at 5.30pm. There are Premier 2 (10-a-side) matches at Bishop Viard, Kapiti, Naenae, and Tawa Colleges also at 4pm, and at the Maidstone artificial at 4.30pm.

News and notes

Along with Avalon’s Carol Sio, Wainuiomata’s Jackie Patea and Oriental-Rongotai duo Amanda Rasch and Elizabeth Goulden are also at the Black Ferns camp. 45 players are in attendance, with a squad of 26 to be selected next Friday for the Canada Women’s Rugby Super Series with matches against hosts Canada, the United States, and England in late June and early July.

Norths loose forward Leah Conley makes her 100th appearance for the Porirua side this weekend. Making her debut in 2008 while still at Aotea College (where she won two College Sport Premier 1 titles) on the wing, she has also played at lock before settling into the loose trio this year. This achievement comes at just 21 years old, and includes taking time off last year to have a child. We wish her the best for Saturday.

The Wellington Pride are holding a Women’s club coaches and management evening at Rugby League Park on Friday night to outline their plans for the season to the club community in working together to improve the Pride’s 2015 NPC campaign. The WRFU is also working through the Women’s Rugby Advisory Panel applications; the establishment of this panel is one of the recommendations from last year’s survey amongst participants in the women’s grade, and will be consulted on women’s rugby matters before they are passed to the Union’s Club Rugby sub-committee.

Lastly, both the WRFU and Club Rugby welcome NZ Rugby’s recent appointment of Cate Sexton, Head of Women’s Rugby Development. She is currently working through the provincial unions to gain an understanding of the Women’s game. This work is to align to the NZ Rugby Women’s Rugby Strategy 2015-2021.