09/09/2026
The Central Roofing Company Taranaki Whio travelled to Thames to play the final of the Northern Regions Development competition against the Thames Valley Vixens last Saturday. The Vixens had set the standard in the division during the regular season.
Determined to reverse last weekend’s 17-28 loss to the same opposition, the coaches and players worked hard during the week with intensive video analysis and focused training sessions. In a clash of playing styles, Thames Valley attempted to utilise their bigger and more experienced forward pack by targeting the Whio set piece and forwards defence around the fringes, whilst Taranaki attempted to take advantage of their superior tempo and fitness by playing an expansive style incorporating their outside backs.
In a back-and-forth match in front of a large, vocal crowd the lead changed several times. The Central Roofing Taranaki Whio forward pack showed technique, grit and resilience in improving their set-piece issues from the week before and the entire team were resolute on defence, confronting the opposition at the tackle line with low and aggressive tackles. The backline looked dangerous when running from depth but were not quite able to finish with the required accuracy.
With five minutes remaining, and the side trailing 23-26, the Central Roofing Taranaki Whio finished a sweeping move to score a beautiful try underneath the posts, only for it to be controversially over-ruled through the intervention of the Assistant Referee. In a display reflecting the strong belief and culture in the team, the side overcame this to control possession through multiple phases and score a quality team try in the corner to win the final 28-26 and take out the Northern Regions Development title for 2026.
Players to standout in the final were forwards – Tangini Latu, Brylee Millham-Gee, Libby Francis and Michelle Hurley, and backs – Amelia Parata, Dani Muggeridge and Savana Leathers.
Congratulations to the playing and management team on a successful programme and thank you to Duncan Corlett and the team at Central Roofing for their outstanding and long serving support of the Whio programme.
