TRILLO METALS WOMEN’S CANTERBURY BULLS GALLANT IN NARROW LOSS TO AKARANA

The Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls made a highly encouraging start to their 2025 NZRL National Women’s Premiership campaign, going down 20-16 to defending champions Akarana Falcons at Massey Park in Papakura on Saturday.

The Trillo Metals Bulls fought back from 10-0 and 20-10 down with Caitlin Sears, Charntay Poko and Kyla Lynch-Brown sparking the plucky visitors’ attack.

After a couple of unsuccessful forays into Akarana’s 20-metre area, Canterbury conceded the first try in the 10th minute when Falcons five-eighth Anastasia Sekene jinked through for a solo try from close to the line.

The home side went 10-0 in front at the 20-minute mark with a freakish try from a kick, finished off by supporting centre Matireamakura Rose Allen.

The Trillo Metals Bulls got on the scoreboard in the 31st minute through a piece of eyes-up footy from hooker Sears, who spied a blindside overlap from dummy-half and combined with fullback Kyla Lynch-Brown to send winger Celine Russell over out wide.

Canterbury made a dream start to the second half, levelling up as the rare ball-playing class of Poko, playing at lock, laid on a try with a short ball for rampaging second-rower Ripena Umaga.

Akarana restored a six-point lead 13 minutes into the second half with a sizzling 60-metre try finished off magnificently by Sekene. The No.6 darted over for her third try with 12 minutes remaining, building a 20-10 advantage.

But Lynch-Brown set up a grandstand finish with a trademark piece of individual spark to score seven minutes out from fulltime, converted by Cassie Siataga from a tough angle.

Russell was agonisingly held up over the line in the dying seconds and a thrilling last-gasp attacking passage was nervously repelled by the Falcons to hang on.

“That was awesome, we came up here with no expectations and just wanted to play a great brand of footy,” captain Poko said post-match.

“I hope that we showcased that for everyone around New Zealand.

“We just fell short in this one, but honestly super stoked with the girls – we had seven debutants that featured in today’s match.

“We’re only looking to build, it’s only Round 1 of the campaign, so it’s only onwards and upwards from here.”

2025 NZRL NATIONAL WOMEN’S PREMIERSHP – ROUND 1

Akarana Falcons 20 defeated Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls 16 (Celine Russell, Ripena Umaga, Kyla Lynch-Brown tries; Cassie Siataga 2 goals) at Massey Park, Papakura