South have claimed an exciting 14-10 victory over North in a topsy-turvy opening game of the three-game North vs South Series at Southern Lions RUFC on Sunday.
Palmyra’s Awhina Heke came off the bench to score the decisive try in the 75th minute for South in the right corner.
North had rallied from a half-time deficit to pinch the lead with less than 10 minutes to play after tries to Wanneroo pair Sofaia Talemaira and Zion Taurima.
After Heke restored South’s advantage, North mounted late pressure but couldn’t find a way to snatch victory.
Earlier, the first half was heavily impacted by driving rain which caused ball-handling errors for both sides.
Wallaroos and Kalamunda scrum-half Sammy Wood scored the only try of the first half, which she converted herself to give South a 7-0 half-time lead.
Game 2 of the three-game North vs South Women’s Series takes place next Saturday at Perth Bayswater’s Pat O’Hara Reserve from 11am.
The first half was challenging as rain soaked the Success Regional Sporting Facility’s pitch, with neither able to get a stronghold on territory or build up phase play.
South made the most of their best opportunity of the first half with Wood diving over from the back of a scrum in the 32nd minute. Wood added the extras too.
South’s Cottesloe winger Ella Fountaine showcased her pace with a run down the left flank but scores remained 7-0 at the interval.
North lost Susie Cano for 10 minutes early in the second half for a high tackle on Southern Lions local Nicole Ross.
Under pressure, prop Alapeta Ngauamo produced a try-saving tackle for North on the last line after Wood’s quick tap and combination with Nicole Ledington almost had South score.
North reserve Kyla-Rei Tuheke Kupa’s line break out of a scrum led to her side going upfield before Wanneroo teammate Talemaira barged her way over with strength.
Ten minutes later, North full-back Taurima burst through to score in the right corner, putting her side up 10-7.
But South, who arguably had more territory in the second half, found a way to victory via Lions winger Heather Kennedy run down the left, before South spread play right for Heke to score.
North 10
Tries: Talemaira (62’), Taurima (71’)
Conversions: Heta 0/2
South 14
Tries: Wood (23’), Heke (75’)
Conversions: Wood 1/1, Ledington 1/1
