Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC have recorded their second win of the season with a dominant 65-17 bonus point win over Auckland Storm in round 4 of the Farah Palmer Cup in Hamilton. 

The home team put in a dominant first 40 scoring five tries and locking in a bonus point by half time. The first try was within 7 minutes, after winning their own lineout at halfway, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu broke through the line passing to Chelsea Semple in support, the ball then went through a couple more hands to find Lela Ieremia to score the first try. Semple was unsuccessful with the conversion and Waikato led 5-nil.

Waikato’s second try was scored by Mahutariki-Fakalelu. After receiving the ball five metres out from the Auckland line, she used her strength to carry a few defenders over to score. Semple added the extras this time and Waikato had a 12 point lead after 13 minutes.

Rina Paraone went over in the right hand corner for Waikato’s third try midway through the first half. Semple with a strong run got within five metres of Auckland’s line, before offloading to Paraone to power her way over the line. Semple nailed the conversion to stretch the lead to 19 points. 

Ariana Bayler pick and go, close to the line scoring Waikato’s bonus point try only minutes later. Semple was successful again and Waikato was keeping pace with the clock.

Auckland were penalised for being offside in front of their posts. Semple added another 3 points to Waikato’s score with a successful penalty shot at goal.

With 5 minutes remaining before half time, Paraone was over for her second try of the match. Taking the ball from the base of the ruck about 30 metres out, she broke two tackles and then beat another two defenders to score a brilliant individual try. Semple added the extras to extend Waikato’s advantage to 36 points.

Semple was again successful with another penalty shot at goal approaching half time after Auckland gave away a penalty in a kickable position, as Waikato went into the break with a 39-nil lead over Auckland Storm.

Early in the second half, Grace Houpapa-Barrett crashed over from the back of a driving maul to continue Waikato’s dominance in the match. Semple successful afternoon with the boot continued as she converted the try to take Waikato to a 46-nil lead.

Auckland Storm finally got on the scoreboard around the 53rd minute mark when Cillia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono barged her way over to score. Braxton Sorenson-McGee added the extras.

The Storm were in again 8 minutes later when Rori Wood crossed. Sorenson-McGee was unsuccessful with the conversion and Waikato still had a commanding lead 46-12 midway through the second half.

Minutes later Montessa Tairakena continued Waikato’s tryfest, scoring a brilliant individual try. After receiving the ball 30 metres out, Tairakena was able to put on a fend, then beat two defenders to score in the right hand corner. Semple this time was unsuccessful with the conversion but Waikato led 51-12 after 64 minutes.

Semple crossed for Waikato’s eighth try of the match 3 minutes later. Reese Anderson with a cut out pass found Semple in space and she went over basically untouched. She would convert her own try pushing Waikato’s lead to 46 points with 13 minutes to play.

However Waikato were done with scoring yet, as Roelien du Plessis barged her way across to score next to the posts for her first try in Waikato colours. Semple added the extras and Waikato led 65-12 with 7 minutes remaining.

Auckland Storm did manage a consolation try when Elizabeth Moimoi crossed but the damage was already done, as Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC ran in 65-17 winners of Auckland Storm.   

Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC 65 (Lela Ieremia, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Rina Paraone 2, Ariana Bayler, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Montessa Tairakena, Chelsea Semple, Roelien du Plessis tries; Chelsea Semple 7 conversions, 2 penalties)

Auckland Storm 17 (Cillia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono, Rori Wood, Elizabeth Moimoi tries; Braxton Sorenson-McGee 1 conversion)    

HT: 39-0

Article added: Monday 02 September 2024