An injury ravaged Rangataua side will be counting the days when they will have the use of their experienced co-captains Makaylah Daysh and Jamaya Maruariki.

The side lost narrowly to Rangiuru 29-24, in their Round 3 clash of the Baywide Women's Club Rugby competition at Te Ariki Park on Sunday.

Rangataua assistant coach Jamie Keenleyside says despite the narrow loss he was happy with how the side performed.

'We had a lot of injuries leading into this match. We had some young players step up and we had experienced players having to play out of position. But the team really dug deep, and it was anyone's match.”

Keenleyside says his side went into the break with a 17-7 lead.

'To Rangiuru's credit, they didn't let off and eventually stifled our patterns and wore us down to come away with the win.”

Keenleyside says players like blindside flanker Mahura Te Kani, who made her rugby debut and Jade Tuilaepa, normally a halfback but playing openside flanker were standouts in the match.

'You can't doubt the team's commitment and they will only get stronger from this loss.”

But Keenleyside says with the return of experienced players like Daysh (injury) and Maruariki (work commitments) the side can only get stronger.

In the other match ups of the round; Matata a side still developing will learn a lot from the 103-0 loss, while Waimana will be pleased with their 53-31 win over Mount Maunganui. Rotoiti had the bye.

Click here for full competition results and draws.