Waitomo Group: Waikato Women have moved to the top spot of the Farah Palmer Cup standings after a 81-0 win over Northland Kauri at Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei in round 7 of the Farah Palmer Cup. 

Waikato opened the scoring four minutes into the match, after Chelsea Semple’s pop pass put Leata Puni-Lio into a gap. Puni-Lio was able to bump off the final tackler to crash over close to the right hand sideline for the first try of the afternoon. Kaea Nepia was unsuccessful with the conversion and Waikato led 5-nil.

Northland gave away a penalty close to their line, a fast thinking Ariana Bayler took a quick tap and passed a charging Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, who barged her way over for Waikato’s second try. This time Nepia was successful with the conversion and Waikato led 12-0 after 12 minutes.

Ana Marsters scored Waikato’s third try approaching the midway point of the first half as Waikato swung it left and Northland ran out of defenders for Marsters to score her first of three tries for the afternoon. Nepia was unable to add the extras from the sideline and Waikato now led 17-nil.

Grace Houpapa-Barrett scored in her 50th game for Waikato. Houpapa-Barrett continued her try scoring form in 2024 after scoring her eighth try of the season, crossing from the back of a driving maul.  Nepia couldn’t add the extras again but Waikato had locked in a bonus point after 24 minutes.  

Marsters was in for her second try only a few minutes later. Rina Paraone had a strong run inside of the Northlands 22. Before being put into touch, Paraone was able to offload to Marsters in support and she crashed over in the left hand corner. Nepia was unsuccessful with the conversion but Waikato’s lead was 27-nil after 28 minutes.

Mia Anderson scored Waikato’s sixth try of the afternoon. Another strong carry from Mahutariki-Fakalelu put Anderson into a hole and she went in untouched. Nepia added the extras this time and Waikato led 34-nil after 31 minutes.

It was a numbers game that led to Montessa Tairakena scoring in the right hand corner. Chyann Kaitapu got close to the tryline with a strong carry, then the ball was put through the hands of the backline with Tairakena dotting down. Nepa was again unsuccessful from the sideline and Waikato led 36-nil after 36 minutes.

The final try of the first half was scored by Chelsea Semple. Emma-Lee Heta took the ball, beat one defender and then drew in a couple more. She then offloaded to Semple in support who was able to spin out of one tackle and score. Nepia added the extras and Waikato went into the break with a 46-nil lead. 

Puni-Lio began the second half the way she started the first half by scoring the first try within 4 minutes. Nepia added the extras and Waikato surpassed 50 points in the match.

Tafiau Fetalaiga barged her way over to score Waikato’s next try. Waikato were hot on attack close to the Northland line. After a few pick and go plays that were not successful, Violet Hapi-Wise gave a short ball to Fetalaiga and she pushed her way over to get on the score sheet. Nepia added the extra from basically out in front and Waikato were on 60 points after 56 minutes.

Marsters completed her hat trick approaching the midway point of the second half. After receiving a nicely timed pass, she was able to break a tackle and stay on her feet to go in behind the posts. Nepia slotted the conversion from in front and Waikato lead now had reached 67 points.

Hapi-Wise was the next Waikato try scorer. After a driving maul was halted close to the line, Hapi-Wise took it off the back and raced at the line and crashed her way over for the try. Nepia was again successful with the conversion and Waikato took their score to 74 points.

The final try was scored by Carla Hohepa and her power and pace saw her score under the posts for Waikato thirteenth try of the day. Nepia was successful with the conversion taking the Waikato scoreline out to 81 points.

The bonus point win for Waitomo Group: Waikato Women takes them to the top of the Farah Palmer Cup standings and now host the fourth place qualifier at FMG Stadium Waikato next Saturday afternoon.

Northland Kauri 0 

Waitomo Group: Waikato Women 81 (Leata Puni-Lio 2, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Ana Marsters 3, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Mia Anderson, Montessa Tairakena, Chelsea Semple, Tafiau Fetalaiga, Violet Hapi-Wise, Carla Hohepa tries; Kaea Nepia 8 conversions)

HT: 0-46

Article added: Monday 23 September 2024