Cocksedge carves up again

Can anyone stop Canterbury halfback Kendra Cocksedge?

The reigning world rugby player of the year bagged four tries in Canterbury’s 50-7 demolition job of North Harbour in Auckland on Saturday, bringing her tally to eight in just three women’s national provincial championship games this season.

Cocksedge also kicked five conversions to finish with 30 of her team’s points.

Her 70 points in three games are 40 more than Auckland’s Fiao’o Faamausili, who has scored the second most points in the competition.

Canterbury’s third big win in as many games boosted them to the top of the table on 15 points, although Counties and Auckland also have 15 points from their three games.

However, the red and blacks’ point differential of 119 has them in poll position ahead of their showdown with Auckland in Christchurch next weekend.

While Auckland had a week off, Counties spanked Otago 58-10 in Dunedin on the back of Krystal Murray’s hat-trick.

In the other matches, Wellington

Canterbury 50 (Kendra Cocksedge 4, Olivia McGoverne 2, Pip Love, Tara Horsnell tries; Cocksedge 5 con) North Harbour 7 (Pia Tapsell try; Chelsea Alley 1 con). HT: 19-0.

Counties Manukau 58 (Krystal Murray 3, Aroha Savage 2, TeKura Ngata-Aerengamate, Ariana HiraHerangi, Arihiana Marino, Lanulangi Veainu, Renee Wickliffe tries; Hazel Tubic 4 con). Otago 10 (Greer Muir try; Megan Manson 1 con, 1 pen). HT: 31-10.

Waikato 32 (Shakira Baker 2, Stacey Waaka, Honey Hireme, Michaelle Montague tries; Tenika Willison 2 con, 1 pen) Bay of Plenty 3 (Billie Raynes 1 pen).

Wellington 25 (Vaine Marsters 2, Ayesha Letli-l’iga, Joanah Ngan-Woo; Elizabeth Goulden 1 con, 1pen). Manawatu 20 (Sammy McIntosh, Lauren Balsillie, Selica Winiata tries; Krysten Duffill 1 con, 1 pen. HT: 15-0. beat Manawatu 25-20 in Palmerston North and Waikato hammered Bay of Plenty 32-3 in Hamilton.