Waitomo Group: Waikato Women win JJ Stewart Trophy for first time
Waitomo Group: Waikato Women have won the JJ Stewart Trophy for the first time and successfully defended the Chiefs Country Cup, beating Counties Manukau Heat 57-29 at Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe in round six of the Farah Palmer Cup.
The visitors opened the scoring in the seventh minute, when halfback Ariana Bayler crashed over under the posts.
From 10 metres out, veteran Grace Houpapa-barrett with a pick and go drew in the defenders, that allowed space for Bayler to run through and score.
Chelsea Semple added the extras and Waikato led 7-0.
The home team struck back five minutes later when Mafi Pasikala barged her way over to score behind the posts.
Pivot Hazel Tubic drew the game level 7-all with the conversion.
Counties Manukau took the lead with a long range try finished off by Jaymie Kolose.
Tubic was again successful with the conversion and the Heat led 14-7 after 17 minutes.
Brilliant support play from Waikato led to their next try that was finished off by Chyna Hohepa.
Semple added the extras and the game was tied again at 14-all.
Waikato prop Veisinia Mahutarikifakalelu used her strength to force her way over for Waikato’s third try, with a pick and go close to the line.
Semple’s conversion saw Waikato take a seven-point advantage after 22 minutes played.
Waikato’s bonus point try was scored by Semple a few minutes later, after she pushed off a few tacklers to go over.
Unfortunately, she didn’t convert her own try but Waikato led 26-14 with 14 minutes left in the half.
The home team were able to make it a four-point game, as they scored an unconverted try and a penalty right on halftime, with Waitomo Group: Waikato Women into the break leading 26-22.
Loose forward Mia Anderson’s try extended Waikato’s advantage early in the second half. Houpapa-barrett again drew in a few defenders, to open a hole for Anderson to go through.
She then beat a few defenders to score under the posts. Semple converted the try from out front and Waikato led 33-22.
Anderson repaid the favour to Houpapa-barrett for her to score. Anderson with a strong run got close to Counties line.
She then popped a ball to
Houpapa-barrett to barge her way over. Semple added the extras and Waikato had a commanding lead 40-22 after 48 minutes.
Counties Manukau were again successful with another long-range try that was finished off by Yurina Shinno. Tubic was successful with the conversion and the home trailed by 11 points with 13 minutes remaining.
However, Waitomo Group: Waikato Women wouldn’t take the foot off the throat as they then scored a further three tries from Lela Ieremia, Hohepa grabbing a second, and Montessa Tairakena all helping Waikato to a 57-29 bonus point win, booking themselves a spot in the Farah Palmer Cup semifinals.
Counties Manukau 29 (Mafi Pasikala, Jaymie Kolose, Sariyah Paitai, Yurina Shinno tries; Hazel Tubic 3 conversions, 1 penalty)
Waitomo Group: Waikato Women 57 (Ariana Bayler, Chyna Hohepa 2, Veisinia Mahutarikifakalelu, Chelsea Semple, Mia Anderson, Grace Houpapa-barrett, Lela Ieremia, Montessa Tairakena tries; Chelsea Semple 5 conversions)