Manawatu Women's Side Lose Another Nailbiter
For the second week in a row the Manawatu Women's side has lost a nail-biting
Lion Foundation Cup encounter at Arena Manawatu going down 8-5 to Bay of Plenty
courtesy of an Exia Shelford penalty two minutes from time.
Manawatu completely dominated the first half of the match virtually camping
in the BOP 22', but couldn't break the BOP defence. Manawatu frequently displayed
good lead up work throughout, only to be undone by a committed BOP defence and
a bad handling day by wings Gemma Pearson and Nina Pineaha-Hyslop.
When Manawatu finally finished off one of their attacking plays it was elusive
fullback Pauline Chadwick who crossed the line. BOP were far more dangerous
in the second half with Megan Young scoring off the back of improved possession
and territory, to level the match up at 5-all.
The match went back and forth throughout the remainder of the second spell
without either side being able to break the deadlock until Shelford broke the
hearts of the Manawatu players, management and supporters by slotting the match-winning
penalty.
Hooker and Captain Farah Palmer was her usual inspirational self on attack
and defence for Manawatu. While the Manawatu halves combination of Selica Winiata
and Zoe Berry looked slick throughout, directing play with authority and vision.
Centre Tuera Pirikahu impressed with several charging runs that would have caught
the eye of Black Ferns Coach Jed Rowlands, who was on hand for the encounter.
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