Tamaki College 1st XV win their last game playing their best game of the season

Tamaki Girls team photo with their coaches Doris, Myles and Melenaite.

It has been a long and tough journey for the Tamaki College 1stXV girls team. We have had some tough times going down to teams with ample experience and skill at the top level. We have also had some great times and "hearty" games in front of our home crowd, displaying a quality game of girls rugby at secondary level. The bone crunching tackles, blockbusting runs and girls who are hungry to do their best for their sisters and their school. This was a spectacular to be apart of.

On Monday 7th August the girls played their last game and it was the best game of their season. They played a purpose driven Manurewa side who were as hungry as we were for the win. In preparation to this game we had full attendance at trainings and the mindset was that we were preparing for our final and that we were going to give it everything we had. As their coach this passion and commitment from the girls gives me purpose and was a culture that i think will flourish and get greater rewards in the near future.

At 4pm the game kicks off within 2 mins of the kick off whistle, the ball goes to our utility winger Alison Fifita who steps and delivers a fend to her opposing number, running 60metres to score the first try of the match. This talent was applauded by a highly impressed and excited crowd.Well into the game with both teams showing some great skill and execution.  Tamaki capitalise on some hard work from their forwards and they put their half back Maia Roos under the posts scoring another 5 pointer.  At half time the score was 10-0 to Tamaki College. 

As the ref blew the whistle for the second half Manurewa took no time and pushed for a try that came as a result of some awesome vision and footwork from their talented winger.  Within 5 mins they score again through their skilful backs and converted by a kick from their 1st five, which brought the score to 12-10 with Manurewa leading. Tamaki College were unfortunate to cop some injuries with their playmaker Teresa Dixon coming off with a shoulder injury as well as their blindside flanker Lydia Veatupu. Despite these injuries their sisters who came on from the bench kept the momentum going and made a huge impact especially on defence. The likes of Caroline Tea, Deandra Cooper and Lavinia Fatialofa making huge bone crunching tackles. Tamaki was hit hard when their skipper Mino Pamaka went down after a number of try saving tackles and runs that inspired her team to get up under pressure. Mino was taken off and I can only describe this moment as an unfortunate circumstance that became strategic inspiration for the team. As I was walking Mino off the field I could feel the hunger, passion and the want to win. The vibe just lifted and the girls desire was to play for their captain summed up by " lesgoo girls beast mode". Within 4 mins of their skipper coming off, Tamaki's co-captain Tupou Finepolo scores with a 30 metre run through Manurewa's red zone to dot down and put Tamaki in the lead 15-12. In the dying minutes both team still giving it their all until the ref blows the final whistle and Tamaki come away with a nail biting victory to finish their season.

Great crowd turnout, great display of rugby from both sides and smiles from 40+ girls after 50mins of physical grunt rugby. In my words that is a WIN for the game of rugby and growing the female game within the community. #growthegame #proudcoach #tamakipride #sisters

We want to thank our sponsors PaknSave, Tamaki development Trust as well as Tamaki College for the support. Also a huge thank you to all the parents, families and friends of the girls for your support this season. As the girls would say "is that us again next year".

               To god be the glory- Start and Finish with him. A culture that the girls have created.