Bay of Plenty Volcanix have beaten Auckland Storm 7 to 3 in Round Three of the Farah Palmer Cup on Saturday afternoon.

The match marks the Volcanix's first home game doing battle with the Auckland Storm team who travelled down for the battle at Blake Park.

The Storm have now lost their opportunity to jump to the top of the Farah Palmer Cup premiership division table, and Bay of Plenty now powers ahead into second place, with frontrunners Canterbury on a bye.

The Volcanix have already started their Farah Palmer Cup campaign with a hiss and a roar, defeating the Manawatu Cyclones 37-26 last weekend to secure a bonus point win in Palmerston North.

And today was an extra special day for Renee Wickliffe who played her Blazer Game (15th game) for the Volcanix.

Before today's match, the Volcanix's assistant coach Crystal Kaua outlined some of the objectives.

'This weekend is about testing our set piece against an experienced pack and playing our style and our brand at home,” says Crystal.

Happy Volcanix team members following their win over Auckland Storm. Photo: Susie Martin.

The Storm have started their season with a win and now two losses, defeating Counties Manukau 39-20 in round one before losing narrowly to Canterbury 27-33, and then today losing to Bay of Plenty.

After the Covid-19 Auckland lockdowns of 2021 forced them to withdraw from the competition, the Storm were happy to be back playing FPC rugby again. But they now look set to drop down to fourth place on the Farah Palmer Cup premiership division table

There was just one change today to the Volcanix starting 15 that played Manawatu. Azalleyah Maaka moved into centre while Renee Wickliffe went to fullback for the injured Kalyn Takitimu-Cook.

And the change paid off, as following a scoreless first half Azalleyah's 57th minute intercept effort proved to be the only try of the game. The BOP centre raced 40 metres after picking off the pass of Ruahei Demant, further souring the Auckland No 10's milestone 50th game.

"This week was about our connection as a squad, clarity and tidying up our systems. Aza is exciting. It's great to have her back in the team,” says Head Coach Brent Kaua.

You can't beat a home crowd getting behind you, and the Volcanix team with a mixture of youth and experience with a young backline went out there and did the business on the home turf, despite the lacklustre first half.

The match which kicked off at 2.05 pm on Blake Park field 1 had free entry to the public and was broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 3.

Today the seven Volcanix players who were unavailable to play due to sickness or injury were Te Urupoumanu McGarvey, Tayla Manu Pym, Ruby Tawa, Sheniqua Taula, Myracle Monga, Kalyn Takitimu-Cook and Sapphire Williams.

There have been 38 women selected for the Volcanix 2022 Farah Palmer Cup (presented by Bunnings Warehouse) squad.

2022 Bay of Plenty Volcanix squad
Animei Skudder (Waikite)
Azalleyah Maaka (Rangataua)
Baye Jacob (Rangiuru)
Brooklyn Teki-Joyce (Rangataua)
Emma Flynn (Poroporo)
Grace Kahle (Rangataua)
Grace Parata-Stewart (Mount Maunganui)
He'lena Dou'ble (Waikite)
Helena Coughlan (Opotiki)
Jayjay Taylor (Mount Maunganui)
Jessie Wharekura (Rangiuru)
Kalyn Takitimu-Cook (Mount Maunganui)
Kataraina Stainton (Waikite)
Kate Henwood (Opotiki)
Kelsie Wills (Mount Maunganui)
Kendra Reynolds (Rangiuru)
Kiki Tahere (Rangataua)
Kiri Ngawati (Rangataua)
Les Elder (Rangataua)
Luka Connor (Rangataua)
Myracle Monga (Rangiuru)
Natalie Delamere (Mount Maunganui)
Olive Watherston (Mount Maunganui)
Olivia Richardson (Rangataua)
Payton Takimoana (Mount Maunganui)
Phoenix Paniora (Poroporo)
Pia Tapsell (Rangataua)
Renee Wickliffe (Rangataua)
Ruby Tawa (Rangataua)
Santo Taumata (Rangiuru)
Sapphire Williams (Rangiuru)
Shaye Adams (Rangataua)
Sheniqua Taula (Rangataua)
Tayla Manu-Pym (Mount Maunganui)
Te Urupounamu McGarvey (Rangiuru)
Tynealle Fitzgerald (Mount Maunganui)

2022 Bay of Plenty Volcanix Management Group
Head Coach: Brent Kaua
Assistant Coach: Jarvy Aoake
Technical Advisor: Crystal Kaua
Manager: Susan Karl
Strength & Conditioning Trainer: Tasmyn Jackson
Assistant Strength & Conditioning Trainer: Brandon Manual

Bay of Plenty Volcanix 2022 Farah Palmer Cup Draw:

Round One: BYE

Round Two: vs Manawatu, Sunday 24 July, 12.05pm, Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

Round Three: vs Auckland, Saturday 30 July, 2.05pm, Blake Park, Mount Maunganui

Round Four: vs Waikato, Saturday 6 August, time TBC, FMG Stadium, Hamilton

Round Five: vs Counties Manukau, Sunday 14 August, 11.35am, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga*

Round Six: vs Wellington, Saturday 20 August, 11.35am, SKY Stadium, Wellington

Round Seven: vs Canterbury, Sunday 28 August, 11.35am, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga*

*Double Header game with the Bay of Plenty Steamers