News

The Counties Energy Heat have recorded a 53-20 thumping of the Wellington Pride at the Hutt Recreation Ground in their Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings Warehouse on Sunday.

For the second week running, the Heat have blown a side away with enterprising attach.

The visitors scored the opening try inside the first five minutes when prop Lana Samuelu crashed over from short range.

Little separated the two sides in the first half – the Pride actually held a narrow lead for a brief period before the Heat scored five minutes before halftime.

From that point on it was all Counties Manukau, who ended up scoring eight tries in the bonus point win.

Emily Kitson grabbed a double in the second spell while Kataraina Enosa-Taifau, Leititia Vaka, Grace Gago, Anastasia Mamea and Shyanne Thompson also dotted down.

Vic Subritzky-Nafatali was involved in everything for the visitors, wreaking havoc from the first-five position.

The win lifts the Heat to third on the Premiership standings and they have a game in hand over the two sides above them.

They’ll get a good test next week when they head to Hamilton to face Waikato on Saturday.