• Bay of Plenty jumped out to a comfortable first half lead
• The Storm launched a second half comeback, but were unable to reign in the Volcanix

The Storm have gone down to the Bay of Plenty Volcanix in dramatic fashion at Eden Park. Despite opening the scoring early through winger Hasting Leiataua, they were unable to prevent Bay of Plenty racing out to a comfortable halftime lead and left themselves too much to do in the second spell

Following the early score, the Storm lost their captain Eloise Blackwell soon after, a knee injury meaning she was unable to take any further part in the match. Bay of Plenty then pulled the margin back to just two points through the boot of Black Fern Renee Wickliffe.

Soon after, the Volcanix were able to strike twice within a matter of minutes. First, it was five-eighth Ora Williams catching the Storm defensive line napping from a quick tap to dot down and then halfback Jade Tuilaepa was on-hand to finish off a sweeping half field effort to streak away from the clutches of the covering defence.

Wickliffe was on the score sheet twice again before the end of the half, another penalty and then a try of her own saw the Volcanix head to the sheds with a more than handy lead.

The second half started just like the first with the Storm going over in the corner. This time it was winger Corina Nanai the finisher on the end of sharp hands from those inside her.

Auckland looked to be storming back into the game when Mele Hufanga was able to stride over on the back of a scything break and offload from Ruahei Demant. The gap only ten points with half an hour to play.

The dagger it seemed, came for the Storm ten minutes later with the home side hot on attack. Auckland knocked-on from a clearing kick before a quick recycle by Bay of Plenty saw them streak away to restore their lead to 17.

Joanna Fanene was able to narrow gap once again after crashing over from the back of the scrum and carrying several Volcanix defenders with her in the process. Flanker Alaimoana Fineaso-Levi then made sure the comeback was well and truly on when she managed to place the ball over the line through the legs of the Bay of Plenty defence.

With ten minutes to play and trailing by just five, the Storm launched everything they had at the Bay of Plenty line, but were unable to crack it and complete the comeback at the Garden of Eden.

Storm 29 (H Leiataua, C Nanai, M Hufanga, J Fanene, A Fineaso-Levi tries; R Demant 2 conversions)

BoP Volcanix 34 (O Williams, J Tuilaepa, R Wickliffe, L Elder tries; R Wickliffe 4 conversions; R Wickliffe 2 penalties)

(Halftime: 5 – 27)