Some colours just clash more than others. This proved just as true today when the red and black of Canterbury came to town. The result was appropriate given it was also a celebration of Emma Jensen being the first woman to play 100 National Provincial Championship games.

The final score of 41-12 was a fitting tribute to the veteran’s achievement and ensured the J.J. Stewart Memorial Trophy remained in Auckland for at least another week.

The game started off with a bang. Fullback Hasting Leiataua was able to intercept a loose pass and streak away to score inside the opening five minutes. The try converted by 100-gamer Emma Jensen.

Some aimless kicking from both sides soon after saw play stagnate in the centre of the field. Canterbury were first to put the ball in behind their opposition. Veteran Emma Jensen was on-hand however, and using all her experience, managed to nullify the threat of the Cantabrians on more than one occasion to keep the lead intact.

A Yellow card to Cantebury flanker, Charna Thompson, at the midway point of the first stanza opened the door for Storm, one that they were more than hapy to walk through, with No.8 Joanna Fanene barging her way over.

It didn’t take long for the Auckland juggernaut to strike again. This time from pressure on the kicker as Canterbury attempted to clear their lines. The ensuing chargedown saw a sprint to be the first to the ball. Storm openside, Moana Fineaso-Levi, winning the race and dotting down.

The next score was pure power and pace from co-captain Mele Hufanga. Swatting off a couple of Canterbury defenders out wide, after crisp-passing from those inside her, to further increase the margin.

At 24-0 with less than five minutes to go in the opening half, the Storm were unable to hold out Canterbury. Loosehead Philippa Love appeared to have burrowed over from close-range, and after consultation with the TMO this was confirmed. Both teams heading to the sheds soon after with the score at 24-7.

Canterbury were out of the blocks early in the second spell. Slick passing from their inside backs allowed them to take advantage of an overlap out wide which saw fullback Olivia McGoverne dive over in the corner. The try went unconverted to leave the away side trailing by 12.

Just as Canterbury were threatening to come back into the match, Auckland were able to consolidate their lead. Lock Charlene Gubb was able to capitalise on a severe lack of Canterbury defenders at the heart of the ruck. Strolling through the middle to the slide over adjacent to the uprights. Emma Jensen extending her Auckland pointscoring recording with the conversion.

The home side leading 31-12 with just over 20 minutes to go.

Canterbury weren’t helped in their quest for a late comeback when No.6 Charna Thompson was sent to the bin for the second time in the match, with two yellows equalling a red, her day was done.

The final ten minutes saw both Auckland fullback Hasting Leiataua and openside Moana Fineaso-Levi find their way over the white line once again, to record their second tries of the match.

No further change to the score thereafter meant the Storm ran out deserved victors over their long-standing rivals.

Auckland 41 (H Leiataua (2), M Fineaso-Levi (2), J Fanene, M Hufanga, C Gubb tries; E Jensen (3) cons.)

Canterbury 12 (P Love, O McGoverne tries; O McGoverne con.)