Bay have too much steam for Waikato
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:30
The Bay of Plenty Steamers completed their Air New Zealand Cup pre-season build-up with an impressive 44-40 win over Waikato in Hamilton, moving their game up a further couple of notches.
The match was the last of three warm-up games that the Steamers have undertaken, as they prepare for the start of the ANZ Cup - when they tackle Tasman in Blenheim next Thursday, July 31.
The Steamers were playing catch-up for most of the first half with Waikato grabbing 21 points. Mike Delany opened the scoring for the Steamers with a penalty, before the Mooloos went on the offensive.
A first half try to Nigel Hunt, converted by Delany saw Waikato lead 21-10 at the break.
In the second half the Steamers went on attack running in another five touchdowns.
Hunt picked up a second try with Joe Savage, Marcel Cummings-Toone, Toby Arnold and Lance MacDonald also crossing the advantage line.
With a high percentage goal-kicker necessary for success in the Air New Zealand Cup – the Steamers were well served at Waikato Stadium with Mike Delany slotting four conversions and two penalties.
The final score line of 44-40 to the Steamers reflected an effort that could take the team a long way in the next 10 weeks.
Steamers loose forward Solomon King had a grand 80 minutes keeping a high work rate going throughout. Another to impress was Kelly Haimona who came on as a replacement after twenty minutes.
With the three pre-season victories behind the Steamers - their attention now turns to the serious business of the Air New Zealand Cup.
Scorers:
Waikato:
Tries: Bruce, Sweeney, Willison, Mikkelson, Fife, Smiler
Cons: Sweeney 5
Bay of Plenty Steamers:
Tries: Hunt 2, Savage, Cummings-Toone, Arnold, MacDonald
Cons: Delany 4
Pens: Delany
2
Teams:
Waikato: 15 Dwayne Sweeney, 14 Sosene Anesi, 13 Jackson Willison, 12 Roimata Hansell-Pune, 11 Tim Mikkelson, 10 Callum Bruce, 9 Malcolm Barnes, 8 Liam Messam (captain), 7 Tom Harding, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Oli Avei, 1 Aled de Malmanche.
Replacements: 16 Kalem Chan Boon, 17 Hikairo Forbes, 18 Kent Fife, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Josh Sutherland, 21 Trent Renata, 22 James Kamana/Watene Waenga.
BoP Steamers:
Forwards: Joe Savage, Marcel Cummings-Toone, James McGougan, John Moore, Culum Rettalick, Aiden Kuka, Solomon King, Colin Bourke (vice-captain).
Backs: Jamie Nutbrown (captain), Mike Delany, Jason Hona, Nigel Hunt, Paula Asaeli, Lance McDonald, Zar Lawrence.
Replacements: Ray Brown, Matt Wallis, Josh Katene, Bruce Olsen, Josh Hall, Kelly Haimona, Toby Arnold.
