Farah Palmer: Counties in command
There is a notable gap in the Auckland trophy cabinet after last weekend's third round of games in the Farah Palmer Cup.
Published by John Birch, September 18th, 2017
3 minute read
2016 Champions Counties Manukau emphasised the seismic shift in power among New Zealand's provinces by doing the (almost) unheard of - beating Auckland 36-12in Aucklandand thus not only cementing their lead at the top of the Farah Palmer Cup Premiership ladder, but also walking off with the JJ Stewart Trophy, the women's equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield, which has sat in Auckland’s trophy cabinet for a remarkable 19 of the 20 years of its existence.
After a relatively close 12-7 first half, Counties ran away with the game to achieve a second half shut-out in a 36-12, five tries to two, win.
The bonus point win keeps the defending champions in control of the competition, with a maximum 15 points from their three games, and six points clear in the Premiership from Canterbury and Waikato. Meanwhile multiple champions, but also misfiring, Auckland languish in fourth, and are dangerously close to failing to qualify for the playoffs.
Wellington moved up to second after a hard-fought win over Waikato, and unexpected position even for the province’s players and supporters who are reported to have targeted sneaking the fourth semi-final spot and had regarded Waikato as one of the sides they might be competing with for that berth. 5-0 down at halftime, a try from lock Sanita Levave and two Acacia Te Iwimate penalties saw them prevail 11-5.
Canterbury won the third all-Premiership game, running in five tries against Manuwatu who now have relegation as a major concern.
In the Championship, Bay of Plenty gained their second win when beating North Harbour 34-12 in Rotorua, and go top, with Otago second after a 39-17 win against Hawke’s Bay.
Results:
Auckland Storm 12 (Hasting Leiataua, Tiana Ngawati tries; Ruahei Demant con) Counties Manukau Heat 36 (Hazel Tubic, Langi Veainu 2, Ari Marino, Bernie Robertson tries; Hazel Tubic 4 con, pen). HT: 7-12
Waikato 5 (Donna Fermanis try) Wellington Pride 11 (Sanita Levave try; Acacia te Iwimate 2 pen).
Canterbury 40 (Melanie Puckett, Lucy Anderson, Grace Brooker 2, Nicole Purdom tries; Charntay Poko 2 con, 3 pen; Cassie Siataga con) Manawatu Cyclones 10 (Janna Vaughan, Selica Winiata tries). HT: 28-0
Bay of Plenty Volcanix 34 (Luka Connor 2, Autumn Rain Stephens 2, Ereti Williams, Crystal Mayes tries; Mayes 2 con) North Harbour Hibiscus 12 (Caitlyn Cox, Claudia McMeekin tries; Sophie Fisher con). HT:
Hawke's Bay Tuis 17 (Gemma Woods 2, Jess Bennett tries; Renee Holmes con) Otago Spirit 39 (Cheyenne Cunningham, Georgia Mason, Annemieke van Vliet, Greer Muir, Leyhane van Vugt, Sam Hollows, penalty try; Sheree Hume 2 con).
2017 Farah Palmer Cup - Points Table
Farah Palmer Cup Premiership
Team
Played
Win
Draw
Loss
For
Against
BP1
BP2
Points
Counties Manukau
3
3
0
0
168
19
3
0
15
Wellington
3
2
0
1
79
50
1
0
9
Canterbury
3
2
0
1
72
58
1
0
9
Auckland
3
1
1
1
63
58
1
0
7
Waikato
3
1
0
2
30
76
1
1
6
Manawatu
2
1
0
1
45
67
1
0
5
Farah Palmer Cup Championship
Team
Played
Win
Draw
Loss
For
Against
BP1
BP2
Points
Bay of Plenty
3
2
1
0
68
32
2
0
14
Otago
3
2
0
1
128
37
2
0
10
Hawkes Bay
3
0
0
3
37
104
0
0
0
Tasman
2
0
0
2
17
107
0
0
0
North Harbour
2
0
0
1
29
117
0
0
0