Latest news with #Ferns
The South African
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Ferns writes his own story at SA Bowls Open final
Brendan Ferns came up trumps in a gripping showdown against Wayne Perry in the SA Bowls Open final played in blustery conditions in Port Elizabeth, which saw both players locked in a tense race to 21 shots, with the scores remaining neck-and-neck in the early stages. Perry, representing Wingate Park Country Club, matched Ferns for much of the match with precision draw shots and measured composure. But as the game entered its crucial phases, Ferns — also playing out of Wingate Park Country Club — found another gear. A string of telling shots allowed him to build a steady lead, applying scoreboard pressure that ultimately proved too much for White to overcome. Ferns sealed the victory 21–16, earning not only the coveted singles crown but also a berth in the prestigious World Champion of Champions event set to be played later this year in Sydney. In the fours final, Paul White's Westville's team let an early 8–0 lead slip against the powerhouse quartet led by fellow Gold Squad member Niksa Benguric. Backed by the formidable trio of Driaan van Niekerk, Wayne Perry, and CP Mathewson, Benguric's side stormed back with clinical shot-making and relentless pressure to claim a resounding 24-14 win. The Pairs final saw Knysna Bowling Club shine brightly as Billy Radloff and John Rimbault delivered a dominant performance. Their aggressive, front-foot style proved too much for Logan Sobramony and Mike Underwood, who struggled to keep pace. Radloff and Rimbault surged to a convincing victory, sealing a proud moment for the coastal club who celebrates their centenary this year. In the Veterans final, it was Otto Holicki who prevailed over Arnie Muscat after a soaring out to an initial lead that he never let go writes his own story at SA Open final. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Black Ferns Beat USA 79-14 To Reclaim Pacific Four Title
Article – RNZ The Black Ferns have reclaimed the Pacific Four Championship in emphatic style. Needing to defeat the USA by 25 or more points to win the title, the Ferns were rampant in Albany, a combined eleven tries between Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Katelyn Vaha'akolo coming in the 79-14 romp. Woodman-Wickliffe's seven tries also saw her become the greatest try scorer in Black Ferns history, with 45. An ill-disciplined start from the Ferns gave USA a kickable penalty but they opted to plug the corner, a surging rolling maul appearing destined for the try line only for New Zealand to somehow hold it up over the chalk. The pressure wasn't over though, as USA got right back into the Fern's territory from the goal line drop out. Several phases later, flanker Freda Tafuna crashed over for the opening points of the match New Zealand responded with an assault of their own, with the States found wanting on the right edge as Katelyn Vaha'akolo waltzed over untouched to square the score. After taking a knock early to her hip, USA's Cheta Emba was forced from the field after just 13 minutes. The Albany crowd then well and truly came to life as sevens star and Black Ferns debutante Jorja Miller split open the USA defence, linking with Vaha'akolo who scored her second in the opposite corner. Next it was her wing partner Woodman-Wickliffe, who had plenty of work to do as she was one on one with her opposite with no room to manoeuvre. However, she managed to slam the ball down just prior to being pushed into touch. Woodman-Wickliffe and the Ferns went back to back in style, as Braxton Sorensen McGee exploded through a gap, and several slick offloads later, Woodman bagged her brace, with New Zealand now ahead 24-7. The States replied immediately though, Hope Rogers closing the gap to ten, but a mistake from the kick-off invited the Ferns straight back on attack. Right on the brink of the break, Vaha'akolo completed her hat-trick, dragging the final defender across the line with her as the Ferns took a 29-14 lead. A penalty to New Zealand looked as though that would be it for the half, but the Ferns had other ideas, taking a quick tap on halfway and firing it wide to Woodman-Wickliffe, who streaked down the right flank, gassing one opponent and palming off another for a spectacular try, both wingers now having scored three tries apiece. It took less than five minutes of the second half for Woodman-Wickliffe to score her fourth, again courtesy of a blockbusting break by Miller. Though it wasn't her greatest outing with the boot, Ruahei Demant managed to finish off another screamer from the Ferns, some super interplay by the New Zealand backs surging out of their own half. Having butchered a sure fire opportunity with a poor pass, the Ferns made amends by winning a scrum penalty and quickly firing it wide to Woodman-Wickliffe. She took the pass on the bounce, ran around one, and then powered through Ilona Maher for her fifth try. The wingers' scoring extravaganza continued, Vaha'akolo crossing for her fourth, as the Kiwis hit the sixties. Woodman-Wickliffe then broke the record for Black Ferns total tries with her 45th, and her sixth of the afternoon, once again proving too strong for the USA's defence, as things began to blow out badly for the visitors. Woodman-Wickliffe looked set for a seventh, but Stacey Waaka took it over the chalk with space opening up all over the park. The final nail came in the form of a seventh try for New Zealand's greatest ever female rugby player, in a remarkable, record breaking performance.
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Black Ferns Beat USA 79-14 To Reclaim Pacific Four Title
The Black Ferns have reclaimed the Pacific Four Championship in emphatic style. Needing to defeat the USA by 25 or more points to win the title, the Ferns were rampant in Albany, a combined eleven tries between Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Katelyn Vaha'akolo coming in the 79-14 romp. Woodman-Wickliffe's seven tries also saw her become the greatest try scorer in Black Ferns history, with 45. An ill-disciplined start from the Ferns gave USA a kickable penalty but they opted to plug the corner, a surging rolling maul appearing destined for the try line only for New Zealand to somehow hold it up over the chalk. The pressure wasn't over though, as USA got right back into the Fern's territory from the goal line drop out. Several phases later, flanker Freda Tafuna crashed over for the opening points of the match New Zealand responded with an assault of their own, with the States found wanting on the right edge as Katelyn Vaha'akolo waltzed over untouched to square the score. After taking a knock early to her hip, USA's Cheta Emba was forced from the field after just 13 minutes. The Albany crowd then well and truly came to life as sevens star and Black Ferns debutante Jorja Miller split open the USA defence, linking with Vaha'akolo who scored her second in the opposite corner. Next it was her wing partner Woodman-Wickliffe, who had plenty of work to do as she was one on one with her opposite with no room to manoeuvre. However, she managed to slam the ball down just prior to being pushed into touch. Woodman-Wickliffe and the Ferns went back to back in style, as Braxton Sorensen McGee exploded through a gap, and several slick offloads later, Woodman bagged her brace, with New Zealand now ahead 24-7. The States replied immediately though, Hope Rogers closing the gap to ten, but a mistake from the kick-off invited the Ferns straight back on attack. Right on the brink of the break, Vaha'akolo completed her hat-trick, dragging the final defender across the line with her as the Ferns took a 29-14 lead. A penalty to New Zealand looked as though that would be it for the half, but the Ferns had other ideas, taking a quick tap on halfway and firing it wide to Woodman-Wickliffe, who streaked down the right flank, gassing one opponent and palming off another for a spectacular try, both wingers now having scored three tries apiece. It took less than five minutes of the second half for Woodman-Wickliffe to score her fourth, again courtesy of a blockbusting break by Miller. Though it wasn't her greatest outing with the boot, Ruahei Demant managed to finish off another screamer from the Ferns, some super interplay by the New Zealand backs surging out of their own half. Having butchered a sure fire opportunity with a poor pass, the Ferns made amends by winning a scrum penalty and quickly firing it wide to Woodman-Wickliffe. She took the pass on the bounce, ran around one, and then powered through Ilona Maher for her fifth try. The wingers' scoring extravaganza continued, Vaha'akolo crossing for her fourth, as the Kiwis hit the sixties. Woodman-Wickliffe then broke the record for Black Ferns total tries with her 45th, and her sixth of the afternoon, once again proving too strong for the USA's defence, as things began to blow out badly for the visitors. Woodman-Wickliffe looked set for a seventh, but Stacey Waaka took it over the chalk with space opening up all over the park. The final nail came in the form of a seventh try for New Zealand's greatest ever female rugby player, in a remarkable, record breaking performance.
1News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- 1News
Woodman-Wickliffe in seventh heaven as Black Ferns run riot over USA
The Black Ferns have reclaimed the Pacific Four Championship in emphatic style. Needing to defeat the USA with a bonus point and by scoring 25 or more points to win the title, the Ferns were rampant in Albany, a combined 11 tries between Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Katelyn Vaha'akolo coming in the 79-14 romp. Woodman-Wickliffe's seven tries also saw her become the greatest try scorer in Black Ferns history, with 45. An ill-disciplined start from the Ferns gave USA a kickable penalty but they opted to plug the corner, a surging rolling maul appearing destined for the try line only for New Zealand to somehow hold it up over the chalk. The pressure wasn't over though, as USA got right back into the Fern's territory from the goal line drop out. Several phases later, flanker Freda Tafuna crashed over for the opening points of the match New Zealand responded with an assault of their own, with the States found wanting on the right edge as Vaha'akolo waltzed over untouched to square the score. After taking a knock early to her hip, USA's Cheta Emba was forced from the field after just 13 minutes. The Albany crowd then well and truly came to life as sevens star and Black Ferns debutante Jorja Miller split open the USA defence, linking with Vaha'akolo who scored her second in the opposite corner. Next it was her wing partner Woodman-Wickliffe, who had plenty of work to do as she was one on one with her opposite with no room to manoeuvre. However, she managed to slam the ball down just prior to being pushed into touch. Woodman-Wickliffe and the Ferns went back to back in style, as Braxton Sorensen McGee exploded through a gap, and several slick offloads later, Woodman bagged her brace, with New Zealand now ahead 24-7. The States replied immediately though, Hope Rogers closing the gap to 10, but a mistake from the kick-off invited the Ferns straight back on attack. Right on the brink of the break, Vaha'akolo completed her hat-trick, dragging the final defender across the line with her as the Ferns took a 29-14 lead. A penalty to New Zealand looked as though that would be it for the half, but the Ferns had other ideas, taking a quick tap on halfway and firing it wide to Woodman-Wickliffe, who streaked down the right flank, gassing one opponent and palming off another for a spectacular try, both wingers now having scored three tries apiece. It took less than five minutes of the second half for Woodman-Wickliffe to score her fourth, again courtesy of a blockbusting break by Miller. Though it wasn't her greatest outing with the boot, Ruahei Demant managed to finish off another screamer from the Ferns, some super interplay by the New Zealand backs surging out of their own half. Having butchered a sure fire opportunity with a poor pass, the Ferns made amends by winning a scrum penalty and quickly firing it wide to Woodman-Wickliffe. She took the pass on the bounce, ran around one, and then powered through Ilona Maher for her fifth try. The wingers' scoring extravaganza continued, Vaha'akolo crossing for her fourth, as the Kiwis hit the 60s. Woodman-Wickliffe then broke the record for Black Ferns total tries with her 45th, and her sixth of the afternoon, once again proving too strong for the USA's defence, as things began to blow out badly for the visitors. Woodman-Wickliffe looked set for a seventh, but Stacey Waaka took it over the chalk with space opening up all over the park. The final nail came in the form of a seventh try for New Zealand's greatest ever female rugby player, in a remarkable, record breaking performance.
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
East Coast netballer Kimiora Poi gears up for season
'In a typical week, we'll train on the netball court three to four times a week, and part of one of those trainings will be match-play against the Invercargill men's team, so we get a bit of match-play prep leading into a real game.' They also do fitness, strength and conditioning work in the gym. While the focus is on the ANZ Championship, national selection is in the bigger picture for Poi, who has played 16 tests for her country since 2019. 'The way that the Ferns selection works is that we play our normal A NZ Premiership... and then, after the grand final, they select a new Ferns squad for the year, and then they select the players to play in the team [for tests]. 'We won't find out [if they have made the squad] until after the grand final, which is in 10 to 12 weeks.' The Silver Ferns face South Africa in a three-test series for the Taini Jamison Trophy in September, followed by a four-test Constellation Cup home and away series against Australia in October. New Zealand won the Constellation Cup series 3-1 last year, and Poi knows only too well how tough it will be to hold on to the silverware. 'They [Australia] just don't let you breathe when you're playing ... they're with you the whole time ... across the board, they've probably got a bit of depth, where they can change it up.' Poi likes to relax and destress in different ways after a game. 'I quite like to watch the game back, initially ... kind of get that out of the way and debrief. 'In my spare time, I'm quite a nana and just like staying home or staying in a hotel, and watching series ... I do [read] a book now and then, but I have to be in the mood.' She also enjoys 'getting out ... getting some fresh air, maybe go to the pools or something, just [to] do a little bit of recovery as well.' Poi is of Ngāti Porou descent. She was brought up in Tikitiki and attended Tikitiki School before the family shifted to Napier, where she went to Napier Girls' High. Her parents are Billy Poi and Roanne Baker. She has two sisters, Jade and Ashleigh, and a brother, Morgan. Her parents are now back living in Tikitiki. Poi returns to the North Island a few times a year. 'I try to get back, definitely over the Christmas-New Year period, and then maybe one or two other times throughout the year. 'My parents are always very good, and they come and watch me around the country as well, so I get to see them a few times in the year.' Asked what messages she would have for young girls looking to go further with their netball, she said: 'One of them would be to take opportunities when they arise. You never know who's watching, so always put your best foot forward. 'Another one would be to keep enjoying what you're doing ... if you play your best netball or whatever you're doing.' Poi said the Steel were heading to Dunedin early to visit netball centres and schools. '[We'll] do some coaching and question and answers [and] hang out with some kids. That'll be really cool to get back out in the community.'
