Sat Oct 05 03:33:56 UTC 2024: ## Waikato Claims Farah Palmer Cup Title in Thrilling Final
**Hamilton, New Zealand** – Waikato has been crowned the champion of New Zealand women’s provincial rugby, defeating Canterbury in a nail-biting Farah Palmer Cup final at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday.
The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both sides trading tries throughout the 80 minutes. Waikato, led by captain Chelsea Semple, held off a late Canterbury surge to secure a 27-25 victory.
“It means so much,” Semple said after the game, her voice choked with emotion. “It took everything. We haven’t felt that pressure that Canterbury put us under, so there’s no better competitor for us.”
Despite missing 13 Black Ferns players, Canterbury put up a valiant fight. Their captain, Laura Bayfield, said, “The girls are so young, and to put that performance out in a final, I am just so proud. Waikato are a classy side and they deserved that today.”
Waikato opened the scoring with a penalty from Kaea Nepia, before a try from Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu put them ahead 10-0. Canterbury responded with tries from Emma Whinney and Abigail Paton, but Waikato regained the lead with a try from Lele Ieremia.
The first half ended with the score tied at 17-all after a dramatic finish where Canterbury’s Ona Palu was held up just short of the try line.
In the second half, both sides traded blows again, with Canterbury’s Riko Yoshida scoring a try to put them ahead. However, Waikato’s Grace Houpapa-Barrett, the competition’s top try scorer, crossed the line for her second of the game to put them back in front.
A late penalty from Paton put Canterbury just two points behind with four minutes remaining, but a wayward lineout throw gave Waikato the chance to secure their second Farah Palmer Cup title.
In the other final, Taranaki defeated Tasman 42-29 in Nelson, thanks to a strong start and a dominant performance.
First Piper 