Orcas’ playoff hopes plunge

‘‘We will now have to lift ourselves once more next Saturday.’’

Wellington’s hopes of returning to provincial rugby league’s top echelon now look remote.

The Orcas were beaten 22-18 by Bay of Plenty on Saturday and now face a tricky equation to win promotion. They need to beat Otago in Dunedin by a big margin on Saturday, then hope Otago can do the same against Bay of Plenty the following weekend to have any hope of qualifying for a promotion-relegation game.

The omens don’t look great, after Wellington coughed up a handy 12-4 halftime lead to lose to BOP at Rugby League Park.

The visiting Lakers were first to score, when fullback Auzzie Tuwhangai wriggled over for an unconverted try.

Wellington’s response wasn’t too emphatic. Two clear-cut opportunities were spurned, before prop John Puna crashed through two defenders for a converted try at the start of the second quarter.

The Orcas blew another chance a few minutes later, but second-rower Ulai Oti-Lahood saved their blushes with a lovely solo try. A second successful conversion from Bronson Marino meant Wellington took a 12-4 lead into halftime.

Bay of Plenty scored back-toback tries after the break, but Kahura Cameron restored the Orcas’ lead when a bustling run saw him surge over to score.

At 18-16 up, Wellington appeared poised to kick away and win comfortably. Instead disappointed coach Peter Rikiriki was left to lament a lack of completions, unforced errors and an inadequate kicking game.

‘‘The halftime score showed we were well and truly in the game. But after that we fell away in intensity,‘‘ Rikiriki said.

‘‘We will now have to lift ourselves once more next Saturday if we are to have any chance of going through for the playoff game.’’

Bay of Plenty Lakers 22 (Kihiroa Wihapi 2, Pesini Tavake, William Cook tries; Cook 3 goals) Wellington Orcas 18 (John Puna, Kahura Cameron, Ulai Oti-Lahood tries; Bronson Marino 3 goals). HT: 4-12.