TRILLO METALS CANTERBURY BULLS WOMEN’S BRIGHT START CANCELLED OUT BY RAMPANT STINGRAYS

A fast-starting Trillo Metals Canterbury Bulls Women’s team was overwhelmed 38-4 by a slick and powerful Counties Manukau Stingrays combination in Round 4 of the NZRL National Premiership at Ngā Puna Wai.

The Auckland-based heavyweights ran in four tries in each half to record their third win of the campaign. But the early indications were the Stingrays would have their hands full with the spirited home side.

The Trillo Metals Bulls enjoyed the early running and posted the opening try after 10 minutes.

A brilliant heads-up kick in behind the Counties Manukau defence from halfback Bayli Rapira produced four points for fullback Manea Faith Waaka, who hared through to pounce inches short of the dead-ball line.

That would be the high point for the hosts, however, with the Stingrays striking back just four minutes later and surging to a 20-4 halftime lead with a succession of tries from close range.

Canterbury’s goal-line defence struggled to stand up to Counties Manukau’s relentless attacking pressure after the break, with a combination of classy ball-playing and hard line-running ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking over.

While qualifying for the final is now out of reach, the Trillo Metals Canterbury Bulls Women’s side will be eager to finish as the top non-Auckland team in the NZRL National Premiership with a win against Waikato at Hamilton’s Resthills Park in their last assignment next Saturday.

Counties Manukau Stingrays 38 defeated Trillo Metals Canterbury Bulls Women’s 4 (Manea Faith Waaka) at Ngā Puna Wai, Saturday, September 29.