The Country side has retained the Conan’s Cup women’s rugby league series after beating Town in a tough game two over the weekend.

Country made a strong comeback in the second spell to beat Town 28-22 in a tit-for-tat game two at Nukupure Park in Ngatangiia on Saturday.

Town lost to defending champions Country 20-24 in the first match of the series played at Victoria Park in Tupapa.

In game two, Town led 14-10 at the break after a brilliant start with Paeru Ngaroi giving her side a 10-0 lead with two tries and a conversion. Danny Tixier extended Town’s lead with their third try 14-0.

Country bounced back through Ngamata Moeka’a who scored twice and a conversion from Stephanie Nooroa to trail 10-14 at the break.

In the second half, Country levelled the game 14-all through Courtney Napa who later converted her own try to take lead 16-14.

Town’s Seta Batiratu put her side back in the lead with a try 18-16 before Country ran rampant with tries from Tehinnah Tatuava and Courtney Napa and two successful conversions from Nooroa.

Town scored a consolation try as Country held on to win the match and the series 28-22.

Town will be hoping to register a win when the two teams meet again in a dead rubber third clash this weekend.

The Conan’s Cup series is held in honour of a man who had a passion for league, the late Colin (Conan) Ngari Munokoa-Tini.

Remembered “as the big man with the big heart”, Munokoa-Tini was the eldest son of former MP for Nikao, Ngamau Munokoa and her husband Ngari, and passed away at the age of 45 in 2010.

He was a former president of the Arorangi Bears Rugby League Club, a huge supporter of the Avatiu Eels Rugby League Club, and was heavily involved in the referee’s association and junior development.