While the club season wraps up for most of our senior players our Belles are off to a flying start in the Women’s 10s competition.

After a strong showing in the Premier Development grade an exciting squad has formed to compete in the 10s grade for the next five weeks and they got off to a thrilling start last weekend.

Playing against a highly rated Papakura side, the Belles were dominant, running out to a 46-10 win.

With the forwards laying a really solid platform the young backline combined for six tries and three conversions.

“The performance felt like a great blend of building, biding our time, and then striking. Notably we gave up some significant size but we have probably never tackled that well; the ladies were asked to be accountable for their 1 on 1 efforts pre game, and they were,” said Matt Clark who is coaching the team alongside John Christie and Joe Baleicakau.

The squad has players who have played in the original Belles 10s, some who have never played 10s, and now some younger players who have been used to the 10s game in junior grades.

Exciting to note is the nine high school players in the team who have played age grade or open grade representative rugby or touch.

The Belles face Otahuhu tomorrow, who were a stand out performer in round one and will be coming in on a high, setting up an exciting encounter. The next home match is August 16 against neighbours, East Tamaki.

Article added: Friday 01 August 2025