Auckland Storm almost paid the price for not making the most of pressure as they left it late to defeat Counties Manukau Heat 13-10 in the Farah Palmer Cup on Friday night.
The Storm seemed to dominate every facet of play at Navigation Homes Stadium, apart from the scoreboard for most of this game, but a superb late solo try from Sylvia Brunt saved Auckland’s blushes.
After losing 32-7 to Canterbury at Eden Park last weekend, this was a crucial game for Auckland in their hopes for a high finish in the Premiership.
As for Counties, they picked up a bonus point, but now have a record of two wins and three losses this season.
Auckland halfback Luisa Togotogorua had a lively game, with her crisp passing helping her team’s backs get on the front foot when attacking.
Auckland halfback Luisa Togotogorua had a lively game, with her crisp passing helping her team’s backs get on the front foot when attacking.
Auckland had chances later in the half to get back in front, but came up against a Heat team that competed hard at the breakdown, especially close to the line, so the half-time score remained 7-3 in in Counties’ favour.
The Counties defence was under heaps more goal-line pressure at the start of the second half, but again Auckland couldn’t make the most of it, either conceding penalties or making errors and allowing first-five Hazel Tubic to kick the Heat out of trouble.
But eventually Auckland scored more points, although coming from the boot of Demant obviously wasn’t their preferred method.
Just after the hour mark it was Counties’ turn to be camped in the opposition 22 and it resulted in Tubic kicking a penalty.
With 10 minutes to go, Auckland finally got their first try with centre Brunt making a scintillating 40m run that edged her team back in front and that lead was stretched with Patricia Maliepo’s conversion making the score 13-10.
AT A GLANCE
Counties 10 (Harono Te Iringa try; Hazel Tubic con, pen); Auckland 13 (Sylvia Brunt try; Ruahei Demant 2 pens, Patricia Maliepo con). HT: 7-3.