
Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC recorded their first win of the 2021 Farah Palmer Cup campaign with a convincing 27-10 victory of Bay of Plenty Volcanix at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui on Saturday afternoon.
Cheyelle Robins-Reti opened the scoring when she beat a couple of defenders to score the first try just 5 minutes into the game. Ariana Bayler was unsuccessful with the conversion and Waikato led 5-0.
Waikato would then double their score when Grace Houpapa-Barrett smashed her way close to the line, to reach out to score the second try of the match. Bayler was unable to add the extras and Waikato had a 10 nil lead after 23 minutes.
With 6 minutes remaining in the half, Bay of Plenty Volcanix, scored their first points when Karli Faneva crashed over. Kayln Takitimu-Cook was also unsuccessful with the conversion as the home team reduced Waikato’s lead to 5 points.
Closing in on half time, Waikato opted for a lineout close to the opposition's line and after winning the line out, they were able to drive down the field with a maul. The Volcanix brought it down illegally but Chelsea Alley was able to dance her way through the defence to score Waikato’s third try. Bayler was successful with the conversion and Waikato had a 17-5 lead.
But Waikato wasn’t done scoring points in the first half and 6 minutes after the hooter for halftime, Haupapa-Barrett, found her way over the line again to bag a double before the break. Bayler was unsuccessful with the conversion and Waikato led 22-5 at halftime.
Four minutes into the second half Bay of Plenty were in again when,Taitiumu-Cook, found some space down the sideline to score the home team's second try. She was unable to convert her own try as the home team reduced the visitors lead to 12 points.
Unfortunately the weather worsened in the second half limiting the scoring ability. But Robins-Reti was able to score her second with 16 minutes remaining. Waikato shifted the ball out wide and Alley was able to draw some extra defenders before throw a long pass to Robins-Reti to dive over in the corner. Bayler couldn’t add the extras as Waikato lead grew to 17 points.
No more points would be scored in the match as Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC recorded a bonus point 27-10 victory over Bay of Plenty Volcanix to move up to 4th in the Farah Palmer Cup standings and also retain the Chiefs County Cup in the process.
Bay of Plenty Volcanix: 10 (Karli Faneva, Kayln Takitimu-Cook tries)
Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC: 27 (Cheyelle Robins-Reti 2, Grace Houpapa-Barrett 2, Chelsea Alley tries; Ariana Bayler 1 conversion)
Article added: Monday 02 August 2021
Waikato Rugby
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