Waikato claim Chiefs Country Cup

The University of Waikato, Waikato Women have won back the Chiefs Country Cup with a 21-10 victory over Bay of Plenty Volcanix at Rotorua International Stadium in week 3 of the Farah Palmer Cup.

It only took the women thirteen minutes to get on the board, after moving it through the hands the final pass found winger, Stacey Fluhler, unmarked to score in the corner. Chelsea Alley was unsuccessful with the conversion from the sideline and Waikato led 5-0.

Three minutes later, Waikato was penalised in a kickable position for Bay of Plenty and Kelly Brazier was successful from 30 metres out to reduce the visitors lead to just 2 points.

Approaching the midway point of the first half a Renee Holmes break led to Cheyelle Robins-Reti score Waikato’s second try of the match. Alley was unsuccessful with the conversion and Waikato pushed their lead back out to 7 points.

The Holmes and Robins-Reti combination resulted in Waikato’s third try at the twenty five minute mark. Holmes put in a cross field kick for Robins-Reti to run onto and score in the right corner. Alley was unsuccessful from the sideline.

There would be no change to the score and Waikato had a 15-3 lead over the home team at half time.

In the second half it took twenty three minutes for anymore points to be scored. The Volcanix cut into Waikato’s lead when their winger, Mahina Paul, crossed in the left hand corner. Brazier added the extras and Bay of Plenty were within 5 points of Waikato.

With eleven minutes remaining the Volcanix gave away a penalty in a kickable position for Alley. Alley stepped up and slotted the penalty shot at goal and pushed Waikato’s lead back out to 8 points.

The Volcanix gave away another penalty with 4 minutes to play resulting in a yellow card for Aldridge. Again Alley opted for a shot at goal and was successful for Waikato extending their lead to 11 points.

There would be no change to the score and Waikato held on to win 21-10 over Bay of Plenty Volcanix winning back the Chiefs Country Cup.

Bay of Plenty Volcanix: 10 (Mahina Paul try; Kelly Brazier 1 conversion, 1 penalty)
Waikato Women: 21 (Stacey Fluhler, Cheyelle Robins-Reti 2; Chelsea Alley 2 penalties)

HT 3-15