Struggling Steelers in feisty draw against Bay
Championship outfit Bay of Plenty and premiership strugglers Counties Manukau fought out an entertaining 31-31 draw in an NPC cross-over match in Tauranga.
The Bay Steamers dominated territory and possession early on, but it took a charge-down from halfback Richard Judd to put them on the board. Loosehead prop Solomona Sakalia was in the right place to secure the skewed ball and score.
They added a second in the 23rd minute through Terrence Hepetema, but their 14-0 lead was reduced to seven soon afterwards when Steelers flanker Fotu Lokotui dived over.
Co-captain Augustine Pulu’s 34thminute try from the base of the ruck levelled the scores, and it took a late Mike Delany penalty for Bay of Plenty to take a 17-14 lead into halftime.
But after the restart, Counties found space down the right for Albert Nikoro to dot down.
The winger featured seven minutes later, keeping play alive as the visitors attacked down the right and Ah Wong scored out wide for a 24-19 Counties lead.
The seesaw match continued, Lalakai Foketi stepping his way through to score in the 55th minute and Jesse Parete bulldozing over from close range to give the Bay a 31-24 lead with 15 minutes left.
Quick passing created space for Liam Daniela to cross after 75 minutes, Luteru Laulala’s conversion levelling the scores and setting up an action-packed final five minutes.
In the later game, Tasman extended Southland’s winless run with a 50-17 cross-over win at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.
Tasman sit fourth on the premiership table, while Southland are mired at the bottom of the championship after seven matches without a win. Tasman ran in eight tries to three. Off the back of a solid set piece, they pressured Southland into handling errors and turnovers, capitalising with five first-half tries.
Pete Samu set the ball rolling after just over 60 seconds, with wingers Viliami Lolohea and James Lowe following in rapid succession as Tasman led 21-0 lead after 13 minutes.
Mike Molloy crossed for Southland soon after, his try unconverted, before the Makos finished the half strongly with tries to Viliami Lolohea and lock Ethan Blackadder, son of former All Blacks skipper Todd.
Ahead 33-5 at halftime, Tasman lost their urgency at the restart, and Southland achieved better field position, and more front-foot ball. Winger Aleki Morris scored out wide after 51 minutes and No 8 Elliot Dixon drove over as the hour mark neared.
The revival was short-lived, Tasman No 8 Jordan Taufua and secondfive Alex Nankivell scoring to give the home team a 45-17 lead with 10 minutes left before Mitch Hunt capped it off with an 81st-minute try.