SWANS GO BACK-TO-BACK IN WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL THRILLER

Sydenham Swans are back-to-back CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership champions after holding off table-topping Linwood Keas 24-22 in an epic, seesawing grand final at Ngā Puna Wai.

Two-try performances from key spine duo Kyla Lynch-Brown, who claimed player of the match honours in the decider for the second straight year, and Charntay Poko underpinned the Swans’ triumph.

Brilliant Swans five-eighth Lynch-Brown wasted little time stamping her class on the decider, dummying through the defensive line and skirting the Keas’ cover for a breathtaking 40-metre solo try.

The Keas seemed certain to hit back but the Swans’ scrambling defence saw both Linwood wingers bundled into touch on consecutive attacking raids.

The minor premiers got on the board through hooker Pine Kolio barging through from close range, before a sizzling grubber-and-regather effort from halfback Terauoriwa Gapper put the Keas up 12-6.

Cue Lynch-Brown’s game-breaking nous again, the Sydenham playmaker diving over for her second try to level the scores five minutes out from halftime.

The mercurial Charntay Poko broke the deadlock for the Swans early in the second half, but Keas five-eighth Lialanie Muamua struck back soon afterwards with a remarkable, tackle-busting 20-metre charge to the corner.

Hooker Poko proved too strong again from close range, muscling over for her second try before Kaylee Tavendale’s fourth conversion gave the Swans a crucial 24-16 buffer with 12 minutes left.

The Keas set up a grandstand finish when impressive fullback Paige Roberts cashed in on a big overlap five minutes from fulltime, with Kayshana burying the conversion from out wide to trim the gap to two points.

Sydenham skipper Harmony Simaile’s powerhouse performance in the front-row was also a crucial factor, though the Angela Petero-led Linwood pack did not take a backward step all afternoon in a classic encounter characterised by its physicality from the opening whistle to the last.

2025 CRL BARTERCARD WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL

Sydenham Swans 24 (Kyla Lynch-Brown 2, Charntay Poko 2 tries; Kaylee Tavendale 4 goals) defeated Linwood Keas 22 (Pine Kolio, Terauoriwa Gapper, Lialanie Muamua, Paige Roberts tries; Kayshana Rapana 3 goals) at Ngā Puna Wai