Kia Toa surge to the top of the table
Kia Toa have stormed to the top of the women’s club competition with a 50-5 win over Varsity.
Kias were too strong at Massey University on Saturday and lead the competition with one round remaining.
Varsity fall to third and have the bye in the last round, but are assured of a place in the top four.
Feilding Old Boys-o¯roua and Kia Toa clash in the last round to decide top spot before the playoffs.
On Saturday Kia Toa had too much firepower for Varsity, although the students were willing.
Varsity started well and scored the first try, with locks Kahurangi Sturmey and Aliena Wallis and prop Ngano Tavake making big carries.
Their lineout was malfunctioning in the first half and Kias had an edge in the scrums.
Varsity had long periods of possession in the first spell, riding on the back of penalties, but couldn’t break through.
They would work their way up field, before the ruthless Kias would undo the hard work with a break and gallop 50 metres, scoring four first-half tries to lead 24-5 at halftime.
Kias’ lock Jessica Fagan-pease and flanker Jaydah Sutcliffe were in the thick of the action and their rushing defence forced Varsity into mistakes when on attack.
Kia Toa were dangerous when they got going and fullback Selica Winiata and first five-eighth Carys Dallinger were threats.
In the other game, Feilding Old Boys-o¯roua beat winless Bush 49-17 at Johnston Park to sit in second place.
Whanganui Metro, who are also without a win, had the bye.
Bush and Whanganui play in the final round to decide who will finish last. The men’s senior one competition had a week off, but resumes this weekend.