Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC have finished off the regular season with a bonus point 32-12 win over Counties Manukau Heat to finish second in the standings and book themselves a home semi-final.

Waikato opened the scoring with a successful penalty that Calista Ruruku was able to convert for Waikato to lead 3-0 after 10 minutes.

Merania Paraone would score the first try of the match when she crossed the line 24 minutes into the match. Ruruku was successful with the conversion and Waikato led 10 nil after 25 minutes.

Counties Manukau Heat first try would come through a Waikato mistake and Mererangi Paul would run about 80 metre to score the home side's first try. Paul would convert her own try and Counties Manukau would make it a 3 point game approaching halftime.

However Rina Paraone would score Waikato’s second try just before the break to extend Waikato’s 10 point advantage after Ruruku was successful with the conversion. 

In the second half Ruruku’s penalty would extend Waikato’s advantage to 13 points 14 minutes in. 

But Counties Manukau would make it a 8 point game when Paul scored her second try of the match. This time she would not be successful with the conversion and Waikato led 20-12 midway through the second half.

The final 15 minutes would belong to Waikato with Esther Tilo-Faiaoga and Lonita Ngalu-Lavemai both crossing the line to score, Ruruku would convert 1 out of 2 conversions as Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC finishing the game 32-12.

The victory would see Waikato finish the regular season in second place and will face Auckland Storm again back home at FMG Stadium Waikato for a semi-final on Sunday 4th September kickoff scheduled for 1.35pm.

Counties Manukau 12 (Mererangi Paul 2 tries; 1 conversion)

Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC 32 (Merania Paul, Rina Paraone, Esther Tilo-Faiaoga, Lonita Ngalu-Lavemai tries; Calista Ruruku 3 conversions, 2 penalties)   

HT 7-17

Article added: Monday 29 August 2022