The Auckland Storm have lost the Farah Palmer Cup 41-22 to Counties Manukau at ECOLight Stadium this afternoon.

It is their first loss in a Women’s provincial final in 10 years.

Counties Manukau got out to a quick start, scoring two tries in the opening six minutes, and the Storm was never able to reel the opposition back in.

Captain Fiao’o Fa’amausili and number eight Charmaine McMenamin were the best on show in the blue and white hoops, both bagging tries and putting in an industrious effort.

Fa’amausili’s give pointer was her 10th of the season, making the Auckland hooker the top try scorer of the season.

The loose forward trio for Counties Manukau all went in for early tries, and the home side held a 19-7 lead only 15 minutes into the match. 

They were able to push at that out 26-7 with a try to hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate before Emma Jensen pulled the score back slightly with a penalty.

The teams went into the break with Counties-Manukau leading 26-10.

The Storm started the second half with a bang, Emma Jensen darting around a break down to go in under the posts. 

She converted her own efforts to narrow the deficit to 26-17.

That was as close as it got however, Counties Manukau ran in two more tries, while Hazel Tubic slotted a penalty and the final score was 44-22. 

Auckland Storm 22 (F Fa'amausili, E Jensen, C McMenamin tries, E Jensen 2 con, 1 pen)
Counties Manukau 41