Palmerston Raiders smash Darwin Sistaz in NRL NT Women’s Grand Final

Palmerston Raiders made history winning their first ever NRL NT Women’s premiership beating reigning premiers Darwin Sistaz. SEE THE SCORE

PALMERSTON Raiders made history winning their first ever NRL NT Women’s premiership beating reigning premiers Darwin Sistaz 30-8.

It was a massive showing from the Raiders women who got off to the perfect start with power scoring four unanswered tries in the first half.

Ciara Aigea of the Raiders was named best on ground for an effort that also included two tries and plenty of powerful runs.

Sistaz may have been the form side with the minor premiership in their hands but it was the Raiders who showed all the confidence early on.

Aigea burst through for the opening score and the Raiders dominance didn’t end there with Kelam Nona, Christabel Aigea Faatoafe and Michala Shaw also scoring in the opening term.

Sistaz looked on to finally get on the board at the tail end of the half but sloppy passing and solid defending from Raiders saw the reigning premiers go into half time without a score.

Palmerston Raiders women celebrate their 2021 NRL NT title. Picture: Patch Clapp

But the reigning premiers started the second half much more pragmatically with Talia Corrie finding space to set Abi Sekitoga up for Sistaz’ first try.

Another came not long after with Bianca Stokes setting up Tyla Kingdon and suddenly there was a contest.

Though just as momentum was with the Sistaz it was snapped away with Nona taking a catch and sprinting down the left wing to add another to her side’s total.

The work of the Palmerston halves Ashley Stott and Shannoah Leedie continued to keep Palmerston out of trouble and a final try from Aigea sealed the deal.

“It means everything to get this win honestly. All those injuries and long hours have paid off. It means a lot,” Aigea Faatoafe said.

“Both teams did a fantastic job. They both muscled up in the middle and we came out on top hustling them out.

“That first half came down to confidence. The minute we got our hands on the ball we felt comfortable and that means we run the ball hard.

“There’s a lot that goes into this particularly for women’s. For us it was all about consistency, half our team are mums but we made it work each and every week and that helped us this season.”

EARLIER: THERE has been nothing between them all year, but only one of Darwin Sistaz and Palmerston can run out as champions of the 2021 NRL NT Women’s Premiership.

It’s a replay of the 2020 grand final, with the Sistaz looking to defend their crown while the Raiders women are eying up some revenge.

And there’s been not much between them, Sistaz winning their first meeting 42-20, Palmerston winning the second 12-8 and the sides playing to a 16-all draw in their third game. Sistaz have once again enjoyed plenty of success in 2021, finishing on top of the table with younger players such as Erica Kurnoth, Kiera Kurnoth and Tyla Kingdon stepping up. And it’s those players who have shone when some of the club’s stars have been injured including last year’s Gaynor Maggs Medallist Latoniya Norris.

Palmerston’s Ashley Stott and Sistaz’s Bianca Scrymgour ahead of the NRL NT grand final for 2021. Picture Glenn Campbell

Bianca Stokes and Talia Corrie have shown their experience and have frequently been at the forefront of a lot of what Sistaz have done this year. Captain Bianca Scrymgour said that it was her side’s togetherness that had stood out throughout the season.

“It’s exciting, particularly as we have had a few of our younger girls come through from under-17s, so we’re all pumped,” Scrymgour said.

“Our forwards have really held us up and then it’s been those younger girls coming through.

“We’ve just stuck together despite having some injuries throughout the season, and been patient with the process and that has worked for us.

“We know this final won’t be easy.

“It will come down to who wants it most so we are just tidying up what we can as a team.”

Palmerston has also been a force to be reckoned with in 2021, pulling off wins against every other side in the competition.

Ciara Aigea and Christabel Aigea Faatoafe have been consistent performers throughout the whole season, and have made consistent metres and tries for their side.

Shannoah Leedie has grown as a player and has also stood out setting up a platform for her fellow backs Shayla Barba and Debbie Gimini.

Ashley Stott said she was confident in her side’s skill and ability.

She added that the game would come down to the mental edge.

“We’ve had a lot of commitment from the girls this year. It’s been a lengthy year but for everyone to stick around has been exciting for us,” Stott said.

“We’ve got our set plays, structures and our defence that are all solid so our focus is on executing those and just working a lot on the one percenters as well.

“Looking at this grand final is the same focus for us as normal. We have to stick to our structures and make sure we can execute them.

“We’ve also been looking at the mental side which is important in finals. I have every bit of confidence in the girls in terms of skill and abilities so it will be the mental side that will get us over.”

TEAMS

DARWIN SISTAZ

1.Teleah Pollard

2.Advina Baptista

3.Keira Kurnoth

4.Tyla Kingdon

5.Jade Albion

6.Jordan Ah Sam

7.Talia Corrie

8.Bianca Scrymgour

9.Erica Kurnoth

10.Khani White

11.Jade Jones Cubillo

12.Bianca Stokes

13.Leanne Allia

14.Kamika Pollard

15.Ellie Niki

16.Ivana Schober

17.Melanie Mununggurr

18.Calista Niki

19.Abigail Sekitoga

20.Rachael Hill

PALMERSTON RAIDERS

1.Shayla Barba

2.Lucy Ferrier

3.Kagui (Debbie) Gimini

4.Michala Shaw

5.Kasey Marsden

6.Shannoah Leedie

7.Ashley Stott

8.Theresa Paterson

9.Samantha Lafaele-Selio

10.Ciara Aigea

11.Kelam Nona

12.Briannan Ross

13.Christabel Aigea Faatoafe

14.Rumelda O’Donnell

15.Amber Baldwin

16.Veteri Tom

17.Mele Tapuala

18.Tina Vanderwerf

19.Yasmin Isaac

20.Marjorie Litisone