The Perfect Season
The Otago Spirit completed the perfect season by defeating Hawkes Bay in the Farah Palmer Cup Championship final with a 24 – 20 victory at Forsyth Barr Stadium this afternoon.
In a tight first half, Hawkes Bay took an 8 – 7 lead into the break after Spirit first five Rosie Kelly opened the scoring by converting her own try, before Hawkes Bay came back to take the lead through a try and a penalty.
The arm wrestle continued in the second half with the lead changing hands before Otago’s Kilisitina Moata’ane and Sheree Hume both grabbed tries to give Otago a nine point lead with around 5 minutes remaining. A late try to Hakes Bay closed the gap to 4 points however the Spirit hung on to the lead and took the Championship win and the 2019 title.
Championship Champions
A delighted Julia Gorinski
Rosie Buchanan-Brown with supporters and friends.
A guard of honour greets players.
Kilisitina Moata’ane runs onto a short pass.
Reasons to smile.
Otago Spirit players from right Kilisitina Moata’ane, Kiana Wereta and Rosie Kelly
Kiana Wereta in space on the wing.
Gold Medal Winners
Smiles and Hugs
Hugs and Smiles
24 – 20 winners.
