Pride beat Waikato 11-5 in Hamilton

The Wellington Pride dug deep to edge Waikato 11-5 in muddy conditions at Marist Park in Hamilton to get their second win of the 2017 Farah Palmer Cup.

The Pride is second on the Premiership points table with two wins from three matches on nine points, six behind leaders Counties -Manukau.

It took a try to lock Sanita Levave to get the Pride home against Waikato after they had led 6-5 midway through the second-half.

Pride head coach Ross Bond was delighted with his team's effort, particularly his forwards and bench players.

"I thought our forward pack really came to play today. Our scrums and set-pieces generally were good again and the bench made a real impact. We've got a team of finishers, from 16-22, who do a really good job for us. They were outstanding again today."

Bond said his pack had played to the conditions on a day suited to rolling up the sleeves, tucking the ball under the arm and charging forward.

"We had a number of real strong ball-carriers today. Jackie Patea-Fereti, Kiri Mei and Sanita Levave were really strong. The starting front-row did their work, before the reserves came on and finished off the job for us."

CAPTION: Tove Svanborg tries to evade the tackle of Waikato's Hannah Brough during their Farah Palmer Cup match at Marist Rugby Club in Hamilton. PHOTO: Getty Sport 

The first-half was a war of attrition, as both packs ran hard at each other.

With a stiff northerly behind their backs, Waikato scored just before halftime to lead 5-0 at the break.

The Pride was quicker off the mark in the second-half and converted two early penalties to gain a one-point lead with 20 minutes to play. They played smart rugby, utilised the wind advantage to kick for territory, and, after concerted pressure, Lavave scored her decisive try.  

The final 15 minutes were brutal as both sides desperately tried to gain the ascendency amid a torrential downpour. As well as Levave's try, the Pride defended desperately and managed to hold on to secure their second win of the season.  

Wellington will host Auckland next Saturday at Jerry Collins Stadium in Porirua.

OTHER WELLINGTON REPRESENTATIVE RESULTS

Wellington U19 beat Manawatu; 24 to 20 (Finish 7th National U19 Tournament)
Wellington U18 Girls lost to Auckland U18 Girls; 0 to 12
Wellington U16A beat Hawkes Bay U16A; 14 to 8
Wellington U16 Dev beat Hawkes Bay U16 Dev; 33 to 7
Wellington U13 lost to Wairarapa Bush U14; 17 to 33
Wellington Centurions lost to Manawatu; 17 to 19
Wellington Samoans lost to Bay of Plenty Samoans; 17 to 19
Wellington Maori lost to Hawkes Bay Dev; 30 to 43
Wellington U18 Centurions beat Wellington Catholic Colleges; 48 to 10
Wellington U18 Samoans beat Wanganui U18; 8 to 6