Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC suffered their first loss of the Farah Palmer Cup going down 10-7 to Canterbury in terrible conditions in Christchurch. 

The home team opened the scoring early when Waikato was penalised for being offside in their own half, allowing Canterbury to take a penalty shot at goal. Abigail Paton was successful for the penalty and put them into the lead 3 nil after 7 minutes.

Due to the poor conditions both teams struggled with handling and it took another 33 minutes for the next points to be scored. Grace Houpapa-Barrett took her try scoring tally for 2024 to four tries, after she took the ball from the back of the ruck and drove over under the posts from five metres out to score the first try of the match. Chelsea Semple added the extras and Waikato took the lead 7-3 right on halftime.

Early in the second half, Semple had a chance to extend Waikato’s lead to 7 points after Canterbury was penalised for not releasing the player in the tackle. But unfortunately missed her penalty shot at goal. 

At the midway point of the second half, the home team put themselves back in front when Nicole Purdom crossed to score their first try. Paton was successful with the conversion and Canterbury led 10-7.

Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC had a chance right on full time to sneak a win but the ball was lost in contact in the poor conditions and Canterbury held on to the narrow win.

Canterbury 10 (Nicole Purdom try; Abigail Paton 1 conversion, 1 penalty)    

Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC 7 (Grace Houpapa-Barrett try; Chelsea Semple 1 conversion)

HT: 3-7

Article added: Monday 19 August 2024