WaiBOP put in an improved ISPS Handa Women's Premiership effort on Sunday, creating chances throughout and pushing defending champions, Canterbury United Pride all the way in an entertaining, open game of football.

The hosts, in what was WaiBOP's first home game of the season, took an early lead when captain, Michaela Foster, bent the ball home from a corner. WaiBOP created several further half and three-quarter chances before Canterbury settled and got themselves back into the game.

Whitney Hepburn's audacious long range strike mid-way through the half got the visitors back on level terms, before Britney-Lee Nicholson's tidy header not long before half time gave Canterbury the lead at the turn.

Gabi Rennie had the Pride two up before the teams had even settled into the second half, but WaiBOP narrowed the gap with more than half an hours to play. Lisa Evans' fine run and pass left Chelsea Elliott with a tap in for her team's second.  

WaiBOP was unlucky not to find themselves back level when Kelli Brown found the back of the net only to be adjudged to have been off-side.

The visitors secured their victory right on full time when they were awarded a penalty and captain, Rebecca Lake, calmly rolled the ball home for her team's fourth goal.

WaiBOP heads to Wellington to play Capital this coming weekend.

WaiBOP 2-4 Canterbury United Pride (ht: 1-2)
WB: Michaela Foster (2'), Chelsea Elliott (56').
CU: Whitney Hepburn (25'), Britney-Lee Nicholson (41'), Gabi Rennie (47'), Rebecca Lake (90').

WaiBOP squad: 1. Ryley GODBOLD (GK), 2. Mania ELLIOTT (14. Stella NEEMS 81'), 3. Serena MURRIHY, 5. Michaela FOSTER, 9. Kelli BROWN, 11. Olivia HOOPER (16. Maddi OLLINGTON 46'), 12. Shannon TREBES, 17. Caitlin BYRNE (15. Lilly MUSPRATT 46'), 18. Lisa EVANS, 19. Kate MCCONNELL, 20. Chelsea ELLIOTT. Subs (not used): 4. Rachel MAJOR, 21. Aimee FEINBERG-DANIELI. 

Watch a full replay here.