News

Four in a row for Steamers

August 22 2008

Bay of Plenty made it four wins from four in the Air New Zealand Cup with a 15-10 win over Northland in Whangarei on Friday.

They scored a try in each half by prop Joe Savage and winger Lance MacDonald, with fly-half Mike Delany kicking a penalty and a conversion to maintain their unbeaten record this season.

Veteran playmaker David Holwell scored all the points for the home side, but Northland will be ruing all the missed chances they had in the last 10 minutes to win the game.

It was a gutsy effort by the home team but ultimately pressure told on the home side.

Ironically it was pressure from Northland that opened the scoring in the game when Nigel Hunt dropped the ball close to the Bay of Plenty try-line as he attempted to clear the ball.

It was Holwell who swooped onto the ball and scored the opening try and added the conversion.

But Northland conceded a try when they opted to take a quick line-out close to their own line later in the half.

The hosts failed to control the ball and it was Savage who gathered the ball and crossed for the try.

Delany missed the conversion attempt, but from the kick-off, Northland were again defending their line desperately and managed to hold off Steamers lock John Moore planting the ball down for a second Bay of Plenty try.

The Steamers had to make do with a Delany penalty to give Bay of Plenty the lead at 8-7 at half-time.

In the second half some good work by hooker John Pareanga and flanker/captain Tanerau Latimer set up the match-winning try for wing MacDonald.

When the visitors turned over possession ten minutes into the second half, Bay of Plenty punished Northland with a stinging counter-attack. Pareanga executed a skilful pass to open the way for winger MacDonald.

Delany added the conversion, but Holwell cut back with a penalty two minutes later.

Winger Fetu'u Vainikolo had the 14,200 home fans on their feet three minutes from the end when he wriggled clear then dashed 20 metres, with only Delany to beat.

But Delany grounded him to deny Northland at least a draw.

The scorers:

For Northland:

Try: Holwell

Con: Holwell

Pen: Holwell

For Bay of Plenty:

Tries: Savage, MacDonald

Cons: Delany

Pen: Delany

Northland: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Aiden Dewes, 12 Leo Taliu, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 David Holwell, 9 James Rodley, 8 Blair Urlich, 7 Hamish Patterson, 6 Justin Collins (c), 5 Marty Veale, 4 Dan Goodwin, 3 Bronson Murray, 2 Tyler Ashworth, 1 Tony Coughlan.

Replacements: 16 Francis Smith, 17 Justin Davies, 18 Roy Griffin, 19 Joel McKenty, 20 Kaino Kaino, 21 Derek Carpenter, 22 Damien Fakafanua.

Bay of Plenty: 15 Zar Lawrence, 14 Lance MacDonald, 13 Cory Aporo, 12 Nigel Hunt, 11 Jason Hona, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer (c), 6 Solomon King, 5 Culum Rettalick, 4 John Moore, 3 James McGougan, 2 John Pareanga, 1 Joe Savage.

Replacements: 16 Dean Elmiger, 17 Arden David-Perrot, 18 Aiden Kuka, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Josh Hall, 21 Pauli Asaeli, 22 Teu Nafe.

Referee: Chris Pollock

TMO: Ben Skeen