Warwick Smith/Stuff
Old Boys-Marist beat Freyberg in the women’s semifinal.
Old Boys-Marist survived Freyberg’s second-half resurgence to secure their first Prue Christie Cup final appearance after a 41-35 win in the women’s semifinal at the Arena.
OBM will face Kia Toa, who beat defending champions Feilding Old Boys-Ōroua in the other semifinal, in this Saturday’s Prue Christie Cup final.
In the semifinal, the score was lopsided at 36-3 in OBM’s favour at the halfway point on Saturday, but Freyberg had other ideas, dominating the second stanza.
The forward carries had pace behind them, creating quick ruck ball and space for the backs to attack a retreating defence. Every time Freyberg spread the ball to the right, they made metres.
Impressive No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker led the way with strong carries and deft touches that set her backs alight. .
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But they fell short in a match where Manawatū Cyclones halfback Paige Lush taken from the field in an ambulance with a dislocated knee, putting her Farah Palmer Cup season in doubt.
The first half all went OBM’s way.
The muddy pitch did not slow OBM’s long-range efforts and they were successful down the left side, with crisp passing from centre Rangimare Sturmey giving her outsides time and space to penetrate.
Laura Claridge directed the game well from fullback, her tactical kicking pinning the Freyberg wingers deep in their half.
The pressure created by the constant breaks told as OBM crossed for five tries in the first half.
Standout tries were captain Kahurangi Sturmey’s effort from a quick tap and flanker Brianna Wallace crossing from deep.
Kia Toa shook off a spirited Feilding Old Boys-Ōroua 43-12 to book their spot in the final.
FOB-Ōroua have struggled for numbers for much of the season and sneaked into the semifinals on a tiebreaker after a round-robin which included two defaults.
But for the opening 20 minutes, they had Kia Toa under pressure.
Tries to Sinead Barrell and Mia Maraku gave them an early lead with Rhiarna Ferris and Kaea Boyd impressing up front and Maia Davis providing tactical prowess at halfback.
But they could not contain Kia Toa’s firepower.
Hollyrae Mete, who bagged two tries, Bridget Lake, Taylor Waterson and Taufa Bason all came to the fore.
Kia Toa scored three quickfire tries late in the first half to take control.
With the likes of Marilyn Live and Rebekah Tufuga coming off the bench, Kia Toa continued their dominance in the second spell to secure the win.
A Manawatū development side will play Hawke’s Bay development at Rugby Park in Dannevirke at 1pm on Monday.
Scorers:
OBM 41 (Wikitoria Doyle 2, Brianna Wallace, Kahurangi Sturmey, Rangimarie Sturmey, Amber Foot tries; Laura Claridge 3 con, pen, Michaela Tatu-Robertson con) Freyberg 35 (Krimson Pamata 2, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Te Uarangi Olsen-Baker, Samantha Taylor, Ata Uaine tries; Isabella Warry con, pen) HT: 36-3.
Kia Toa 43 (Hollyrae Mete 2, Taylor Waterson, Manaia Blake, Cindy Ries-Rupapera, Mele Bason, Selica Winita tries; Winiata 4 con) FOB-Ōroua 12 (Sinead Barrell, Mia Maraku tries; Maraku con) HT 24-12.
