Waitomo Group: Waikato Women have won the Farah Palmer Cup for the second time in their history after holding off Canterbury to win 27-25 in the Farah Palmer Cup Final at FMG Stadium Waikato.   

Waikato opened the scoring in the final 2 minutes into the match, when Kaea Nepia converted a penalty in a kickable position, to make it 3-nil.

The home team would push the lead to 10 points only 3 minutes later. Grace Houpapa-Barrett with a strong carry opened up a hole for Mia Anderson to go through. She would be brought down close to the line and like she has done most of the season Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu would barge her way over with a pick and go. Nepia would add the extras and Waikato led 10-nil.

However the visitors would bounce back to draw the game level with their own try to Emma Whinney and a conversion around the 10 minute mark, then followed by an Abigail Paton  penalty to make it 10 all after 29 minutes.

Waikato took back the lead only a few minutes later when Lela Ieremia crossed after a cut out pass from Nepia found her wide open to score. Nepia again was successful with the conversion and Waikato led 17-10 with 7 minutes remaining in the half.

But Canterbury would again draw the game level approaching halftime when Laura Bayfield pushed her way over from close range. Paton would convert the try and the game was level at 17 all heading into the break.  

In the second half the visitors would take the lead for the first time after Riko Yoshida would collect a cross field kick to score in the right hand corner. Paton would not be successful with the conversion this time and Canterbury led 22-17 after 46 minutes.

Approaching the midway point of the second half Waikato would take back the lead when Houpapa-Barrett scored her eleventh try of the season. After a few attempts went close to the line, Houpapa-Barrett would get the ball 4 metres out and use her powerful leg drive from a pick and go to score. Nepia would add the extras and then added a penalty only a few minutes later to make it a 27-22 game with 18 minutes to play.

Canterbury would kick a penalty to make it a 2 point game at the 66 minute mark but no more points would be scored and Waitomo Group: Waikato Women would hold on to win 27-25 to lift the Farah Palmer Cup.  

Waitomo Group: Waikato Women 27 (Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Lela Ieremia, Grace Houpapa-Barrett tries; Kaea Nepia 3 conversions, 2 penalties)

Canterbury 25 (Emma Whinney, Laura Bayfield, Riko Yoshida tries; Abigail Paton 2 conversion, 2 penalties) 

HT: 14-14

Article added: Monday 07 October 2024