Late Cocksedge try lifts Canterbury to thrilling FPC win over Waikato
KENDRA Cocksedge scored a crucial late try as Canterbury gained revenge on Waikato in a battle of two Farah Palmer Cup powerhouses.
In a rematch of the last two premiership finals, Canterbury held off Waikato 29-27 in Christchurch yesterday.
Canterbury were fired up for the contest after losing 22-20 to Waikato in last year’s premiership final and made it four wins from four this season.
The victory also meant they retained the JJ Stewart Trophy, the women’s equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield, which looked like it might be heading to Waikato late in the game.
Black Ferns halfback Cocksedge dotted down for the game-winning try four minutes from fulltime after Canterbury had trailed 27-24.
They turned down a penalty attempt, which could have tied the game, opting instead to go for the corner and it proved the right call.
Canterbury won the lineout and drove towards the line with Cocksedge throwing a dummy, then darting over to score what proved the winning try.
Both teams were unbeaten heading into the clash and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them feature in a third straight premiership final later in the season.
Waikato brought plenty to the contest and it could have gone either way with the sides trading tries in the second half.
Canterbury had led 19-6 late in the first half after Cocksedge went over for her first try, but Waikato fought back before halftime to head into the break trailing 19-13.
Waikato props Tanya Kalounivale and Awhina TangenWainohu both scored from close range in the second half.
Tangen-Wainohu’s try with 17 minutes left and a successful conversion put them ahead 27-24, but Canterbury had the final say through Cocksedge.
Canterbury fullback Rosie Kelly was one of the best players on the field, regularly breaking the Waikato line and had a hand in several tries.
In other games yesterday, the Otago Spirit made it fours wins from four in the championship, overpowering Tasman 39-7 in Dunedin.
Otago were in control at halftime, leading 29-0, and added two further tries in the second half.
The Manawatu¯ Cyclones gained their first win of the season in impressive fashion, outclassing Wellington 38-17 in Palmerston North, having opened with four straight losses.
Centre Amelia Pasikala and wing Apryll Green scored doubles as Hawke’s Bay beat Taranaki 45-15 and Northland came from behind to beat North Harbour 27-23.