Stokes hatrick helps Sistaz see off Nightcliff, while Palmerston women keeps Litchfield scoreless

DARWIN Sistaz remain on top of the NRL NT women’s premiership after beating Nightcliff 24-10, while the Palmerston women kept Litchfield scoreless

Sistaz’ Tyla Kingdon runs down field against Nightcliff Dragons. Picture: Glenn Campbell

DARWIN Sistaz are still on top of the NRL NT women’s premiership after beating Nightcliff 24-10, while the Palmerston women kept Litchfield scoreless.

Nightcliff started well and it wasn’t until 10 minutes had passed that the Sistaz found themselves in with a proper chance, with livewire Talia Corrie racing down field.

But that score was not to be with Nightcliff’s Rhiannon Fecht chasing down the playmaker and putting her to ground 5m from the tryline.

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But with the territory gained, Sistaz were able to push forward in attack with Jade Albion racing through for the first four-pointer of the match.

That score swerved momentum in Sistaz’s favou,r with the side right back on the attack moments later via a run from Erica Kurnoth, setting up a try for captain Bianca Stokes.

It looked like another score prior to halftime was on when Tyla Kingdon ripped the ball out of a Dragon’s grasp, but Nightcliff regathered to hold off the Sistaz on that occasion.

Nightcliff was the more aggressive side in the opening phases of the second half, running deep into Sistaz territory.

But the Darwin side found its way back with a thumping kick from Leeanne Allia set Stokes up for her second try.

Dragons were determined to not go home empty handed and kept plugging away, finally scoring with a try for Calarna Ratahi.

Sistaz responded with a third try for Stokes and Nightcliff soon had themselves a second score through second-rower Nanise Vakacavu.

But the reigning premiers finished the winners, scoring one final try through Kurnoth to see out the match. Captain Stokes was pleased with the performance of her side, with plenty of players stepping up in the absence of key personnel Latoniya Norris, Tishara Cahill and Bianca Scrymgour.

“It was a good game. Everyone worked hard for each other and that’s what we needed to do today with our low numbers,” Stokes told the Sunday Territorian.

“It was about supporting each other, working up the field and just working for each other.

“(Those three tries) were the reward of our hard work coming through and it was good to finish off the hard work that we put in through the whole game.

“It was a good team effort, everyone played their role particularly our forwards who worked hard in defence.”

Meanwhile, at Goodline Park it was hosts Palmerston who had the better of their Litchfield women counterparts winning 28-0.

The win presents Raiders as one of the sides to watch after another stellar win, with Christabel Aigea Faatoafe scoring a brace.

Arwa Gulf-Waterton, Sharice Tangitepu and Marjorie Litisone all also found their way on to the scoreboard.