• Manawatu led early, but couldn’t match Auckland’s effort over the full 80 minutes
• Charmaine McMenamin was able to celebrate her 50^th game for Auckland in-style, while Aleisha Pearl-Nelson brought up 100 first-class games also
• The Storm next face Counties Manukau at home with a view to confirming a home semi-final

Auckland have grabbed a well-earned victory and bonus-point to boot this afternoon in Palmerston North. The blue and white hoops endured a fast start by the home side to eventually pull away before the end of the first spell, and subsequently, well and truly confirm the result come fulltime.

The Storm were the first side on the board through second-five Ruahei Demant. The blue and white hoops earned a midfield scrum inside the Manawatu 22-metre and were able to create enough confusion in the Cyclones defensive line to allow Black Fern Demant to slide her way through.

Manawatu were able to hit back twice soon after however. First, through Selica Winiata and then, Janna Vaughan.

For Winiata, the Storm had looked to clear their lines through first-five Patricia Maliepo, but saw the attempted kick charged-down and Winiata on hand to regather and dive over. The second score, saw Vaughan, who was utlilising a protective face mask for the day, fly over out wide in a style reminiscent of a real-life superhero.

Auckland were then able to strike back with a couple of their own. It was typical forward play with the Storm flexing their muscle against the Cyclones. 50-gamer, Charmaine McMenamin was the first to go over off a powerful run close to the line, before hooker Cristo Tofa was the beneficiary at the back of the Auckland rolling maul.

The Storm secured their bonus-point try with 15 minutes to play in the opening spell. Breaking out from deep, Auckland were able to put it through the hands before lock Charmaine Smith was able to link-up with a flying Isla Norman-Bell to streak over and extend her sides advantage.

The Storm were able to grab a further two tries just before the break. Centre Joeannha Naime-Purcell busting out in midfield and then neatly offloading to a supporting Ruahei Demant for the first effort. It was then Princess Elliot’s turn to scoot over out wide with the halftime hooter imminent.

The second half opened as much more of an arm-wrestle than the first. Both sides searching for the opening points of the second stanza, but unable to break through the others defensive line.

It was Auckland however, who managed to go over first through Natahlia Moors. The try was set-up by a blockbusting run from No.8 McMenamin before the ball was swung wide to Moors who made no mistake in the finishing.

The Storm grabbed their second of the half with a little over five minutes to play. From inside their own territory, Auckland launched a sweeping break-out after a securing a tighthead scrum. Joeannha Naime-Purcell surged forward and was brought down with the line in sight. The ball was then transferred quickly to Nankivell to fall over the line.

It was the home side however, who secured the final two scores of the match. Selica Winiata and Janna Vaughan both grabbing doubles to bring the final score slightly closer.

The Storm now will look ahead to the Counties Manukau Heat next Saturday (K/O 2.35pm) at Eden Park knowing that a positive result guarantees them a home semi-final.

Auckland Storm 50 (R Demant 2, C McMenamin, C Tofa, I Norman-Bell, P Elliot, N Moors, D Nankivell tries; P Maliepo 5 conversions)

Manawatu Cyclones 26 (S Winiata 2, J Vaughan 2 tries; S Winiata 3 conversions)

Halftime: 38 - 14