TRILLO METALS CANTERBURY WOMEN FALL JUST SHORT AFTER LATE FIGHT-BACK

The Trillo Metals Canterbury Women’s team produced a gallant campaign-opening comeback against Counties Manukau Stingrays but ultimately came up just short, going down 24-18 at Ngā Puna Wai.

After trailing 18-6 at halftime of the Sky Sport National Women’s Premiership Round 1 clash, Canterbury scored three tries to one in the second stanza in a confidence-boosting performance for the Te Wairau-coached side.

The hosts got off to a flying start with centre Kaylee Tavendale scoring in only the second minute following a mistake from the Stingrays’ fullback.

But Counties Manukau regrouped and dominated the rest of the first half, running in four unanswered tries.

The Trillo Metals Canterbury side were quick out of the blocks again in the second stanza, with powerhouse prop Janaya Mata barging her way over from close range.

The Stingrays pushed back out to a 16-point lead with a converted try in the 57th minute, but Canterbury set up a grandstand finish with tries to Gloria Su’a four minutes later and a dazzling solo effort from teenage five-eighth Kyla Lynch-Brown.

A promising attacking raid with little over a minute to go from Canterbury finished inches away from the tryline as the Stingrays held on for a valuable, hard-fought win.

SKY SPORT NATIONAL WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP

Counties Manukau Stingrays 24 defeated Trillo Metals Canterbury Women 18 (Kaylee Tavendale, Janaya Mata, Gloria Su’a, Kyla Lynch-Brown tries; Tavendale goal) at Ngā Puna Wai.