The North vs South Women’s Series is going to a decider after North squared up the ledger with a tight 27-24 win over South at Perth Bayswater Rugby Union Club on Saturday.
North, who were boosted for Game 2 by the return of several key players, produced a strong second-half fightback to clinch the five-tries-to-four win, having lost 14-10 in Sunday’s Game 1 at Southern Lions.
Wingers Halley Derera and Teiana Mainwaring both scored in each corner before impressive back-rower Tamika Jones dotted as North turned around a 19-12 half-time deficit with three second-half tries.
South and Wallaroos scrum-half Sammy Wood scored late to finish with a double and ensure a tense final few minutes, but North won a crucial late penalty to secure the victory.
The deciding Game 3 of the North vs South Women’s Series will be played at Wanneroo Rugby Union Club on Saturday 1 November from 12pm. Entry is free.
Earlier, North’s Wests Scarborough prop Hannah Palelei had scored under the sticks on her return from injury to open the scoring.
Down the other end, Tizanae Kovacs laid a crunching tackle as South winger Heather Kennedy neared the try line, before flanker Zakiya Kereopa barged over with Wood’s conversion squaring it at 7-7 after quarter of an hour.
South were fuelled by the driving runs of UWA centre Atawhai Hotene, before Wood crossed in the 25th minute, with a clever feign allowing her to score a pick and go, although she missed the extras.
Kalamunda fly-half Nicole Ledington’s 50-22 set up the attacking thrust that led to Cottesloe flanker Jessica Harvie’s try after Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke went on a trademark run. Ledington’s conversion made it 19-7.
North, however, responded with Jones urging them forward with energy, as scrum-half Kylah-Rey Tuheke Kupa burst towards the try line, before Alapeta Ngauamo got the ball down.
Wallaroo Trilleen Pomare entered the fray at half-time, landing a big shot with her first action. Soon after, Wests winger Derera found space down the left edge to score to make it 19-17. Minutes later, Wanneroo’s Mainwaring dotted in the other corner as North pulled ahead 22-19.
North continued to forge forward in search of more points after Ai Dickson’s clever kick, before South were reduced to 14 with a yellow card. Jones took control and full advantage after several phases, bursting clear and diving over for a 27-19 lead.
South kept coming with ARKS junior Wood narrowing the margin, but time was against South with the series now destined for a decider.
North 27
Tries: Palelei (3’), Ngauamo (36’), Derera (45’), Mainwaring (51’), Jones (68’)
Conversions: Heta 1/2, Tuheke Kupa 0/1, Houghton 0/1, Tiakia 0/1
Penalties: Nil
South 24
Tries: Kereopa (14’), Wood 2x (25’, 78’), Harvie (32’)
Conversions: Wood 1/3, Ledington 1/1
Penalties: Nil
