Friday was a cold and windy night - with the rain threatening, our U15 Rip Girls got their game underway verse Otahuhu.

It promised to be a competitive game, and our girls didn't shirk at the task. Otahuhu came out strong, getting the ball to the edge with some strong ball movement, and using their speed out wide.

But the Emeralds would show their ability to move the ball down field with strong link phases. 

Some strong line breaks from Holly, Kenzey and Chloe would allow the emeralds to continue to get the ball down field, finding tries off solid support play from Sofia, Casey and Ella.

Harper, Cassie and Lucy worked hard on the defensive side of the ball, being very effective with their rips, forcing Otahuhu to kick the ball and concede possession.

The Emeralds started the year as a new team, playing 2 years up in grade, but were proving they'd come a long way since week 1.

Ella continued to find open space and ask some tough questions of the Otahuhu defense, stretching their ability to cover the field with her speed.

Ella & Harper were well deserved players of the day, but this was very much a 'team' performance, where all the girls pulled their weight, and a good reflection of how far everyone has come individually - which has contributed to a stronger team performance.

Fittingly - the game would finish with a large downpour of hail and rain - to end a season riddled with bad weather, but that wouldn't damper the girls spirits, who ended on a high - knowing just how far they'd come to put a performance like that together.

Article added: Tuesday 02 September 2025