By Stu Piddington

The Hanan Shield secondary schoolgirls' rugby team finished third at the South Island tournament in Dunedin despite only suffering one loss.

Hanan Shield also impressed as the only side to beat champions Canterbury but a draw against Tasman proved costly.

First up Hanan Shield faced Otago and despite a slow start got into their rhythm, with the forward pack dominating to win 31-0.

Tasman got away to a flying start against Hanan Shield with a good wind behind them to be up 12-0 at halftime.

Hanan Shield however rallied late in the game with two powerful tries to Chloe Te Moananui to draw 12-all right on full time.

Defending champions Southland, with 16 members of the Southland Girls' High School First XV which made the final of the New Zealand School's final, proved too tough winning 22-10

Hanan Shield missed two opportunities early on to score tries. Southland started the second half strongly but Hanan Shield replied with two strong solo efforts to Jamee Te Moananui to close the gap.

In the final round robin robin game against an unbeaten Canterbury, Hanan Shield needed a bonus point win to secure a spot in the final but fell just short in a three-try 17-12 victory.

Hanan Shield dominated with tries to Amelia Manson, Erana Te Moananui and Elizabeth Hampton, who ran 50m after a sweeping move by the backs.

In the penultimate play of the gain Hanan Shield were penalised a metre from the line.attacking the tryline allowing Canterbury to kick the ball out.

In the play-off for third after conceding an early try Hana Shield came back to win comfortably 22-7- with tries to Bridget Crabbe, Chloe Te Moananui, Erina Te Moananui and Tayla Ford.

Canterbury beat Southland 17-14 in a closely contested final.

After outstanding performances every game at No.8, Amelia Manson (TGHS) was named captain of the South Island tournament team and named 'player of the tournament'.

Chloe Te Moananui, Jamee Te Moananui (Mt Hutt), Sarah Crabbe, Cheyenne Cunningham (Waitaki) were also selected in the tournament team.

Erana Te Moananui also played well and was Hanan's top try scorer while Laura Sadler (Geraldine) and Morgan Henderson (Waitaki) played well in the forwards.

In the backs captain Annie McDonald (Ashburton) played well at halfback while Tessa Puleaga (Ashburton) was strong on both defense and attack.