Pirates’ win in final dedicated to memory of late coach

Pirates first five-eighth Celine Timoko reaches out to score a try during the women’s club final at Kettle Park on Saturday. University prop Nicky Whitworth is unable to stop her scoring. Photo: Gerard O'Brien
Pirates first five-eighth Celine Timoko reaches out to score a try during the women’s club final at Kettle Park on Saturday. University prop Nicky Whitworth is unable to stop her scoring. Photo: Gerard O'Brien
Pirates secured an emotional 27-10 victory against University in the women’s club final at Kettle Park on Saturday.

The team had too many reasons not to win but at the top of the list was coach Neville Haua, who died in June.

Veteran midfielder Greer Muir, who scored two tries and set up another with a storming run, summed up the feeling in the camp.

‘‘We lost our coach halfway through the season so this is for Nev, really,’’ Muir said.

‘‘It has all been for him. We haven’t really had a coach and he stepped up. To finish it for him is pretty cool.’’

The win helps make up for the disappointment of last season when University scored a late try to win the final 17-13.

It was also a boost for the club which began the season by pulling out of the men’s premier grade.

Muir was a powerful force for Pirates and scored the opening try after about three minutes.

Talented loose forward Angie Sisifa peeled off the back of a ruck, drew the last defender and swung to wide to Muir for the try.

It was the first of many penetrating runs Sisifa would make during the match. She beat the first tackle just about every time and her offloading game was a constant threat.

Lock Syreeta Norris made some good carries as well, while experienced prop Gemma Tuhega helped Pirates get on top in the forward exchanges.

That dominance paved the way for winger Kristina Moata’ane to score Pirates’ second try. She dodged one defender and got nice and low on a 5m burst to the line.

University had opportunities to score and eventually converted when speedy winger Rian Sanerive went across in the corner. But Pirates hit back right on halftime.

Centre Bre Kaio Te Whetu got in the clear and made an angled run for the line. The cover defence got to her but Muir was on hand to take the pass and crashed over in the corner to give her side a 17-5 lead at the break.

‘‘The first half didn’t really go to plan. We wanted to keep it down in the corner but our kicking was not going the best,’’ Muir said.

‘‘We wanted to be up a bit more at halftime, considering we had the wind.’’

Pirates dominated the opening 10 minutes of the second spell. But University scored against the run of play when replacement midfield back Sophie Dyhrberg got a short offload into the hands of flanker Georgia Mason, who ran in from 15m to score.

It could have been the turning point in the game but Pirates rallied with two more tries to clinch the win.

Muir set up the last, carving through a gap in the centre of the field. The ball eventually got out to fullback Sheree Hume, who looked to have blown it when she dropped the ball.

But she prevented the knock on by thrusting out her boot and grubbing the ball ahead. The cover defender fumbled the ball which allowed Hume to get past and score.

‘‘This is so cool for the club. It has been really sad losing the prem team.

‘‘But we have always gone back to the clubrooms and supported the club. Hopefully, they’re proud of us.’’

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