Harbour Hibiscus take on Counties this Saturday

This Saturday HarbOUR HIBISCUS take on Counties Manukau at Massey Park, Papakura at 1pm. After an opening win over Bay of Plenty, the girls had  amuch tougher assignment against Waikato last week, going down in a well contested match 22-12. This week will be no easier as Counties, who beat Waikato in their opening round have a classy looking side that are strong across the paddock. Head Coach Bill Wigglesworth comments "We had a real taste of the FPC with their game against Waikato on Saturday at Windsor Park. It was a fast paced game with lots of ball movement and we quickly found out they were up against a red hot Waikato side."

The Waikato team moved the ball to width in the early phases and took out an early 11-0 lead after 20 minutes. Harbour fought back and gain control and territory only to miss two kickable penalties. Waikato then struck with a try to extend their margin to 16 -0.

The Hibiscus once again controlled the possession and outstanding centre Emma Iversen broke the Waikato defensive line and also the cover to get within metres of the line to offload to supporting halfback Stacey Martin to go into the halftime break 16-7 down.

Harbour put Waikato under more pressure in the 2^nd half and had the game on edge through another Emma Iversen breakout resulting in a try to Briar MacNamara.

Game on @ 19-12.

Pressure at the breakdown resulted in a kickable penalty to Waikato to extend the score to 22-12 and secured the victory to a deserved Waikato. The Hibiscus was in the fight and played with real determination, none more so than Emma Iversen at centre.

This Saturday we play another of last year’s semi-finalists Counties Manukau at Papakura 1pm kick-off. "One thing is for sure the team is making the most of every opportunity in this competition. I can't fault the girls commitment and the skill they are showing, best summed up by an 80m chase and tackle that our big lock made last week to keep us in the game." comments Wigglesworth "If the girls maintain those high standards throughout the season, we will be in good shape come the end of the season" Highlights of the chase Wigglesworth is commenting on can be found here