Photo / Richard Spranger

The Counties Energy Heat’s Farah Palmer Cup season has come to an end after a 32-12 loss to defending champions Waikato at Navigation Homes Stadium on Saturday.

The home side battled early and were able to take it to the visitors. First-five Mererangi Paul scoring a try double to have the Heat in the fight.

But Waikato were able to pry open the Heat defense on a handful of occasions and were able to run away with the game in the final quarter.

Stacey Brown was yellow carded in her 50th game for the side but was recognised in the Phil Kingsley Jones Lounge after the game for her milestone.

She becomes just the third player in history to have reached the 50-game mark.

Tuakau College/Onewhero Area School edged Hauraki Plains College in a gripping 1st XV Cup final in the second game, in front of a healthy and boisterous crowd.