Canterbury top, Wellington ton up

The Wellington Pride made quite the statement as the semifinals were set in the Farah Palmer Cup’s two divisions on Saturday.

Already locked into top spot in the second-tier Championship, the Pride ran riot against the lastplaced Taranaki Whio, winning 118-0. They will now face North Harbour Hibiscus in one Championship semifinal, while the Otago Spirit will host the Hawke’s Bay Tuis.

The Tuis and Hibiscus both lost crossover matches, North Harbour going down to Waikato, 44-7, and Hawke’s Bay to neighbours Manawatu¯ 22-7, while the Spirit eased past the Tasman Mako, 48-7.

In the top-tier Premiership, Canterbury halfback Kendra Cocksedge scored twice in each half to power them to a 37-12 win over the Auckland Storm. As a result, they finished top of the table, and will host the Manawatu¯ Cyclones in the semifinals.

Manawatu¯ secured their spot with their win over Hawke’s Bay, and the Bay of Plenty Volcanix’ 26-24 loss to the Counties Manukau Heat.

Counties Manukau will travel to play Waikato in the other semifinal.

Farah Palmer Cup, round six: Wellington Pride 118 Taranaki Whio 0, Waikato 44 North Harbour Hibiscus 7, Manawatu¯ Cyclones 22, Hawke’s Bay Tuis 7, Otago Spirit 48 Tasman Mako 7, Canterbury 37 Auckland Storm 12, Counties Manukau Heat 26 Bay of Plenty Volcanix 24. Premiership points: Canterbury 27, Waikato 25, Counties Manukau 23, Manawatu¯ 16, Bay of Plenty 12, Auckland 7. Premiership semifinals: Canterbury v Manawatu¯ , Waikato v Counties Manukau. Championship points: Wellington 26, Otago 20, Hawke’s Bay 19, North Harbour 10, Tasman 5, Taranaki 0. Championship semifinals: Wellington v North Harbour, Otago v Hawke’s Bay.