Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC are heading back to the Farah Palmer Cup Final after beating Wellington Pride 26-10 at FMG Stadium Waikato in the preliminary final.

It was a low scoring first half as both sides went into the half-time break locked up 3 all after successful penalties to Wellington’s Lizzie Goulden and Waikato’s Kennedy Tahau.

But early in the second half Wellington were reduced to 14 players when Sanita Levave was shown a yellow card. With the extra player on the field Waikato were able to strike and score the first try of the match when Kelsey Teneti busted through a few tackles to score the first try. Tahau was unsuccessful with the conversion and Waikato led 8-3 after 45 minutes.

Waikato extended their lead a few minutes later after the home team was awarded a penalty close to Wellington’s line, KLee Begbie took a quick tap and sent the ball right and Montessa Tairakena finished off in the corner. Willison took over the kicking but was unsuccessful with the conversion and Waikato had a 10 point lead.

Wellington were penalised at ruck time in a kickable position for Waikato. This time Tenika Willison was successful with the shot at goal and made it a 13 point game for the home side.

Midway through the second half Wellington cut into Waikato lead when Angelica Uila barged her way over to score the visitors first try. Cheyne Copeland added the extras and it was a single score game.

But back to back yellow cards for Wellington players, Jackie Patea-Fereti and Precious Auimatagi saw the visitors reduced to 13 players, to add insult to injury the second yellow card resulted in a penalty try for Waikato. The home team's advantage was then reinstated at 13 points with 13 minutes to play.

With 4 minutes to play Willison added another 3 points to the home team’s score with a successful penalty and that would be the final points of the match as Waikato set up a rematch of the 2020 Final against Canterbury in Christchurch.

Waikato 26 (Kelsey Teneti, Montessa Tairakena, Penalty Try, tries; Kennedy Tahau penalty, Tenika Willison 2 penalties)

Wellington 10 (Angelica Uila try; Lizzie Goulden penalty, Cheyne Copeland conversion)

HT: 3-3

Article added: Monday 04 October 2021