TRILLO METALS CANTERBURY BULLS WOMEN’S WRAP UP CAMPAIGN WITH WIN IN WAIKATO

The Trillo Metals Canterbury Bulls Women’s team have bookended an admirable building campaign in the NZRL National Premiership with wins, chalking up their second victory of 2024 in a final-round clash with Waikato in Hamilton.

Leading 10-8 at halftime, the Trillo Metals Bulls went on with the job in a second-stanza shutout to snap a three-match losing streak 26-8.

The visitors set the tone early, crossing for the opening try in just the second minute as classy half Bayli Rapira carved through with two big right-foot steps.

Waikato levelled up at 4-all in the fifth minute in the right-hand corner and outstripped the Canterbury defence on the other side of the ground at the 17-minute mark to hit the lead.

But the Trillo Metals Bulls regrouped via Katey Arona, who powered over from dummy-half for a slender halftime advantage.

After defending their line impressively in the early stages of the second half, Canterbury earned a crucial six-point break in the 51st minute thanks to Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox’s barnstorming try from close range.

Te Ohaere-Fox proved too hard for Waikato  to handle again six minutes later, throwing a dummy and carrying defenders over the line.

The result sealed, Ripena Umaga iced a convincing win with an intercept try a minute out from fulltime.

Trillo Metals Canterbury Bulls Women’s 26 (Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox 2, Bayli Rapira, Katey Arona, Ripena Umaga tries; Rapira 3 goals) defeated Waikato 8 at Resthills Park, Hamilton.