The Blues have won their third Super Aupiki title in a row with a 28-21 victory over Matat\u016b in a thrilling final at Te Kaha Stadium in Christchurch.<\/p>\n
It was a dramatic finale with Katelyn Vahaakolo breaking a 21-all score with a try in the 83rd minute as added time played out. Ruahei Demant converted.<\/p>\n
The scores had been locked at 14-all for 26 minutes in the second half, before hooker Atlanta Lolohea scored her second try and Demant converted to turn up the pressure on Matat\u016b.<\/p>\n
But Matat\u016b came back strongly and received an advantage when the Blues lost Maama Vaipulu to a yellow card for head-on-head contact on Georgia Ponsonby who promptly replied by crashing over for a try. Maia Joseph converted from wide out to lock up the scores again.<\/p>\n
However, with extra time threatening, the Blues had the last laugh through the determined Vahaakolo.<\/p>\n
After beating the southerners in the last premiership game of the season last weekend, their ability to finish the stronger proved decisive once again.<\/p>\n
Matat\u016b had led 14-7 at halftime.<\/p>\n
There were some crucial developments in the first half, with star Blues fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee failing a head injury assessment after leaving the field in the 24th minute, while Matat\u016b had to cope with halfback lynchpin Maia Joseph being yellow-carded for shoulder-to-head contact on Mererangi Paul in the 38th minute.<\/p>\n
The Blues took advantage of her absence with Vahaakolo scoring soon after halftime after a break by Sylvia Brunt and a super pass to the winger, who crossed in the corner, with Ruahei Demant converting to level the scores. Officials ruled that Joseph’s offence didn’t warrant a red card so she returned soon after the Blues try.<\/p>\n
The scores stayed locked at 14-all until the 70th minute when Lolohea charged over and it was all-on from there.<\/p>\n