NZRL National Competition 2013 - Results Round Seven

Auckland, NZ, October 14, 2013 – This Monday night featured the final round robin match of the Pirtek National Premiership and the third and final game in the Women’s rugby league series played between Akarana and Counties Manukau.

Tonight was really all about the Counties Manukau women, who backed up their win in the second game of the series with another strong performance. In the first half Akarana had no answer to the excellent dummy half running by Counties #9 Hilda Peters or the strength and pace of #17 Vahle Tafale, who was breaking tackles seemingly at will.

After half time it was more of the same, with Counties players stepping lightly through the Akarana line and the score jumped from 14-0 to 24-0 before Akarana finally got points on the board through their centre Lani Latoa-Williams. Two further converted tries brought Akarana back into the game at 24-16 but the clock was against them and that was as close as it got. Counties Manukau with two wins in the three game series were named the inaugural winners of the Bob Vercoe trophy.

At Mt Smart Stadium:

Akarana: 16 T Taou, L Latoa-Williams, M Tuarae-Ephia tries; A Filivaa (2) goals

Counties Manukau: 24 A Tupaea (2), E Smalley, I Huriwai, H Peters tries; C Wright (2) goals

Half Time: 14-0 (Counties)

The final round robin game of the Pirtek National Premiership featured the fourth placed Canterbury Bulls and the fifth placed Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions, who each came into the round with two wins and three losses, with the Bulls having the better point’s differential.

The Bulls were first to score through their winger Cody Te Awa with the Stallions answering back with a try to Hamiora Mihaka before the Bulls regained control of the game and scored two tries through their hard running #13 Dan Moevao. Although the score was 16-4 to the Bulls at half time, it felt more evenly matched with neither side really stamping their mark on the game.

After the break the Stallions scored first with their #7 Hayden Karena putting a straight running #11 Phillip Rameka through a big hole for a try. Their second try came from a great cross field kick which was grounded by Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi. When two quick passes from a scrum put the hard running #12 Jeremy Siulepa into space and he ran 60 metres to score, the game was all tied up at 16-all and the game was there for the taking.

A second try out wide to #5 Mihaka gave the Stallions the lead, albeit a small one, with none of their five tries converted. Final score 20 - 16 to the Stallions.

Canterbury Bulls: 16 C Te Awa, D Moevao (2) tries; T Sepuloni (2) goals

Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions: 20 H Mihaka (2), P Rameka, T Tahuriorangi, J Siulepa tries

Half Time: 16 – 4 (Bulls)

17s

Central Vipers 12 v Counties Manukau Stingrays 74

Akarana Falcons 48 v Northern Swords 18

South Island Scorpions 22 v Wai-Coa-Bay Colts 28

Wellington Orcas - bye

Pirtek National Premiership

Central Vipers 12 v Counties Manukau Stingrays 98

Akarana Falcons 44 v Northern Swords 0

Canterbury Bulls 16 v Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions 20

Wellington Orcas - bye

ENDS

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