NYT DAY 4 & 5: CANTERBURY BULLS 18S GIRLS SURGE TO THIRD-PLACE FINISH

An epic week at Ngā Puna Wai in Ōtautahi Christchurch for the NZRL National Youth Tournament wrapped up on Friday with the conclusion of the 16s and 18s Girls competitions.

The Canterbury Bulls 18s Girls went agonisingly close to claiming a couple of big scalps in their last two pool matches, but were ultimately edged out by Counties Manukau Stingrays (6-4) on Thursday and Akarana Falcons (12-10) on Friday morning to miss out on a spot in the final.

They finished the tournament in style, however, overwhelming Wellington Orcas 28-0 in the third-place playoff, with Dormay Laufiso, Kayshana Rapana, Mona Lisa Siataga, Tyali Raihe and Terongomaianiwaniwa Williams crossing for tries.

The Stingrays overwhelmed the Falcons 38-4 in the final.

On Thursday, the Canterbury Bulls 16s Girls drew 4-all with South Island Scorpions, while a second-half fightback wasn’t enough to reel in Manawatu Mustangs, going down 24-16.

Friday’s playoffs saw the Canterbury Bulls 16s Girls edged out 8-6 by Wellington Orcas, before they concluded a spirited campaign in somewhat fitting fashion – the Bulls and Scorpions again couldn’t be split, drawing 18-all in the seventh versus eighth clash.

Canterbury Rugby League thanks New Zealand Rugby League, all teams’ players, coaches and support staff, the supporters who visited our wonderful facilities at Ngā Puna Wai, the grounds staff, Sport Canterbury and Christchurch City Council, and the wider CRL community for their contributions to an unforgettable NZRL National Youth Tournament week in Ōtautahi Christchurch.