Waitomo Group: Waikato Women have recorded another bonus point win this time with a 44-12 victory over Hawke’s Bay Tui in round 5 of the Farah Palmer Cup in Hamilton. 

Chyann Kaitapu opened the scoring for the home team. After receiving the ball 10 metres out from the Tui line, she was able to power her way through, breaking three would-be tackles to dive over. Chelsea Semple was unable to add the extras and Waikato lead 5-nil after 4 minutes.

After a Hawke’s Bay player was shown a yellow card, Waikato opted for a quick tap close to the line and Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu used her strength to bust over for Waikato’s second. Semple was successful this time and the home extended their advantage to 12 points.

Kiriana Nolan went over in the left hand corner for Waikato’s third try four minutes later to put the home team up by 17 points. However the visitors were able to cut the lead back to 10 points when Denise Aiolupotea crossed the tryline. Krysten Cotterell added the extras but Waikato still led 17-7 after 24 minutes.

Waikato’s bonus point try came in the 28th minute, when Lela Ieremia was put into space by Nolan. Ieremia used her pace to out run the tackler and score down the right hand side. Semple was unsuccessful with the conversion and Waikato led 22-7.

Grace Houpapa-Barrett continued her try scoring form in 2024, with a pick and go close to the line. Houpapa-Barrett was able to power her way over to push Waikato’s advantage to 22 points. The score would remain that way at the break with Waikato leading 29-7.

Hawke’s Bay Tui were on the scoreboard first in the second half when Maieta Pailate was able to find her way over the tryline. Cotterell wasn’t able to add the extras from the sideline as Waikato still led 29-12.

However the remainder of the second half belonged to Waikato as they would go on to score a further three unconverted tries. The first being the second try of the afternoon for Ieremia, Nolan took the ball to the line then she slipped a pass to Ieremia for her to reach out and score.

The next saw Nolan complete her brace for the day. Like the previous try, she took the ball to the line and this time held on and ghosted her way through to score. 

The final try of the afternoon was scored by Rina Paraone. Ana Marsters cut through the Hawke’s Bay defence, then brilliant support play saw the ball go through a bunch of hands and in the end landed in Paraone’s for her to cross to score Waikato’s eighth on the day, taking Waikato to a 44-12 win.

The bonus point win for Waitomo Group: Waikato Women moved them into second place in the Farah Palmer Cup standings and now they will face Counties Manukau Heat in round 6, which will be a top of the table clash.         

Waitomo Group: Waikato Women 44 (Chyann Kaitapu, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Kiriana Nolan 2, Lela Ieremia 2, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Rina Paraone tries; Chelsea Semple 2 conversions)

Hawke’s Bay Tui 12 (Denise Aiolupotea, Maieta Pailate tries; Krysten Cotterell 1 conversion)    

HT: 29-7

Article added: Monday 09 September 2024