Norths and Wainuiomata unbeaten in Women?s second round competition

Above: Norths fullback Jamie McIntosh about to score her try on Saturday in her side's 22-6 win over first round Women's winners Ories on Saturday. Photo by Dave Lintott. McIntosh scored one and set up another as Norths reversed their two-point defeat to Ories earlier in the season.

Defending champions Northern United and 2012 winners Wainuiomata are the two unbeaten teams after three weekends of the second round Premier Women's Victoria Tavern Trophy competition.

On Saturday, Norths reversed their narrow defeat to first round Fleurs Trophy winners Oriental-Rongotai with a 22-6 victory over Ories, while Wainuiomata defeated the Old Boys University Nanny Goats 24-15.

Both sides scored four tries from their third round wins, with Norths claiming their third consecutive bonus point victory.

Despite the comfortable margin of victory on the scoreboard, the Norths-Ories clash was another tough encounter that also saw both sides concede yellow cards and lose a couple of key players to injuries.

Norths won four tries to nil, scoring two tries either side of the halftime and keeping Ories try-less for the first time this season.

Ories had numerous scoring opportunities in the Norths 22, but just couldn't get over the chalk. Norths gave away a lot of penalties in this attacking raid, which the Ories kickers converted.

Norths' opening try was from a kick return that was started by in-form fullback Jamie McIntosh, who scorched down the sideline, and with good support play, the movement was eventually finished off by openside flanker Leitu Sa.

Next, centre Vaine Marsters took advantage of an overlap wide out and while waiting for support, decided to take on the cover defence and she scored near the sticks.

The third try was a good team try that started off with the forwards who were dominant throughout the match. The ball went to the backs and although Jamie McIntosh was tackled initially, managed to get up and power over to score.

Another try went begging when the assistant referee called play back to the 40 metre line after the fact, stating the Norths winger had stepped out over the sideline. But the fourth try eventually came, on fulltime, with Marsters scoring out wide after running back a kick-return.

Norths co-coach Matt Poutoa said Norths were pleased with the win but remain firmly focussed on the rest of the season.

"Aimee Sutorius [co-coach] and I had Norths focus on our own team performance and making sure we ticked all the boxes leading into and during this match," he said.

"It was good to send our three girls off with a win as they slowly head into their international camps for the upcoming ?Women's World Cup.

"Ories are a great side and they will bounce back from this. But we can go to another level as well. We have a lot to work on from the weekend, so tidying those up will help us get there.

"We still have some tough games ahead, so to get maximum points from the weekend and not letting them get any was pleasing."

Despite the clich? it was a game of two halves in the Wainuiomata - OBU Match at Te Whaea on Friday night

OBU started strong, playing expansive rugby and taking advantage of the quick play of the ball on the artificial turf. Wainuiomata opened the scoring only to have OBU come back with three quick unconverted tries to lead 15-5 at the break.

In the second half Wainuiomata regrouped and addressed their sloppy defence to shut OBU out of the game. Tries through Kiri Mei, Acacia Claridge, Virginia Faitele and Lauina Motu and two conversions from the boot of Sieni Mose saw them score 19 unanswered points in the second half.

A late surge from OBU was met by a prolonged period of defence from Wainuiomata - successfully defending their line for over 10 minutes and only succeeding a yellow card.

?In the second of two night games played on Friday night, Avalon grabbed their first win of the second round, beating MSP-Poneke 56-15 at the Maidstone Park artificial ground.

Played in perfect conditions despite the cold Upper Hutt chill this was also a game of two halves.

MSP-poneke was outplayed by Avalon in the first half, Avalon's natural kicking game putting them on the back foot and they led 32-5 at the turnaround. ?However, the visitors ended the first spell with an encouraging period of play, upping their tempo and commitment and scoring an excellent team try.

A feature of the match was a last minute shuffle that saw lots of players playing out of position with some forwards playing in the backs. Despite this, Poneke outlasted Avalon in the middle contact zone, taking the contest to them and playing in their 22 for the majority of the second half.? They were rewarded by scoring two unanswered tries at the end.

For Avalon, fullback Teina Puketapu crossed for a hat-trick and for MSP-Poneke, No.8 Anna Darling scored a brace.

The fourth and final match of the round between Stokes Valley and Tawa has been deferred, owing to scheduling changes and ground availability on Saturday. Both teams are hoping to play it this week.

The Tawa Lionesses reported that they regrouped and had a hit-out amongst themselves on the club's new all-weather training ground.

Round Four games of Seven this coming Saturday see Ories host Wainuiomata at the Polo Ground in the feature game, Norths play Stokes Valley at Delaney Park, OBU and Poneke meet in town at Prince of Wales Park and Avalon and Tawa clash at Fraser Park.