NYT DAY 3: BULLS 18S CLAIM HISTORIC TRIUMPH

Day three of the NZRL National Youth Tournament at Ngā Puna Wai will be remembered as red-letter day for Canterbury Rugby League, with an unforgettable final victory headlining outstanding results across the board.

The Canterbury Bulls 16s Boys set the tone on Wednesday morning with a 30-16 victory over Auckland Vulcans in the third-place playoff.

Abraham Vaoga, Lennox Woodhouse, Manase Togia, Lucas Race and Louis Shanahan scored the tries as the Sommer Te Kahu-coached team finished their excellent campaign in style.

The Canterbury Bulls 18s Girls won both of their opening-day clashes, getting underway with a tense 6-0 win over Wellington Orcas.

Backing up three hours later, the Bulls 18s Girls overcame South Island Scorpions 26-4 courtesy of a double to Tyali Raihe, and tries to Terongomaianiwaniwa Williams, Leah Stewart and Celine Russell.

In their only day one fixture, the Canterbury Bulls 16s drew 8-all with Northern Swords, with Micahlei Timo and Jayla Waiti-Keepa scoring tries for the red-and-blacks.

The Canterbury Bulls 18s Boys, meanwhile, powered to a momentous 30-18 victory over Akarana Falcons in Wednesday afternoon’s final, scoring three late tries to carry off the trophy.

The Bulls 18s fought back from deficits to draw level on three occasions in a gripping decider, with Rico Lemalie, Arona Faaiva and Delahoia-Kakoi crossing for tries.

Second-rower Nikao Panapa then put the hosts in front for the first time, before prop Ezrah Molioo’s try in the dying stages sealed a famous win. Khan Pokere’s five-from-five with the boot also proved crucial to the Matt Molioo-coached side snaring the title.

Several Canterbury Bulls players and coaches were subsequently named in the 16s and 18s Boys Tournament Teams at the NZRL National Youth Tournament at Ngā Puna Wai