TRILLO METALS CANTERBURY WOMEN EDGED OUT BY WELLINGTON

For their second straight game in the 2023 NZRL National Women’s Premiership, a late flurry of tries wasn’t quite enough for the Trillo Metals Canterbury Women’s team as they went down to Wellington Orcas 22-16 at Jerry Collins Park in Porirua on Sunday.

Canterbury, coming off the bye, struck late in both halves of the Round 3 clash – trailing only 8-6 at the break and crossing twice in the dying stages of an entertaining and hard-fought match.

The scoreboard attendants weren’t troubled during an absorbing opening 20 minutes as desperate defence thwarted gilt-edged opportunties for both sides.

But a barnstorming try from lock Sherri Burgess and a sizzling 50-metre effort by fullback Jessica Patea in quick succession gave Wellington an 8-0 lead.

The Trillo Metals Canterbury side struck right on halftime through Cassie Siataga’s classy dummy and dart from a scrum win 15 metres out, cutting the deficit to two points.

A clever blindside play from a scrum created a try for centre Davina Lasini eight minutes into the second half, while the visitors’ hopes received a significant blow when talented young five-eighth Kyla Lynch-Brown was carried after an awkward tackle.

Lynch-Brown’s opposite number, Tawny Burgess, put Wellington 18-6 in front with a solo try soon afterwards on the back of a strong charge from Lasini.

Lasini cut the Canterbury defence up again with 18 minutes left, with winger Anjanelle Sami capitalising out wide a couple of rucks later.

In a carbon copy of their Round 1 performance, the Trillo Metals Canterbury outfit finished with a wet sail. Inspirational back-rower Sui Pauaraisa used sheer force to get over for a trademark try, before Siataga’s superb long balls on consecutive plays created the space for fullback Manea Waaka to hot-step her way in for a late four-pointer.

There no was time for Canterbury to push for a last-gasp equaliser, however, with the hooter going before play could restart.

The Trillo Metals Canterbury Women host Akarana Falcons in their next match at Ngā Puna Wai on Saturday, September 23 at 12pm.

NZRL NATIONAL WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP – ROUND 3

Wellington Orcas 22 defeated Trillo Metals Canterbury Women 16 (Cassie Siataga, Sui Pauaraisa, Manea Waaka tries; Siataga 2 goals) at Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua.