Firm defence secures Auckland win

Drizzly conditions yesterday afternoon didn't hold back a feast of tries as the Bay of Plenty Steamers took on Auckland in their Mitre 10 Cup match up and contested for the John Drake Boot Trophy.

The Steamers were the first to get points on the board, choosing to kick for the corner instead of goal, the Steamers forwards got to work early.


Steamers had a hard fought battle against Auckland yesterday. Photo: Chris Callinan.

Setting up a driving maul from the line out, Shahn Eru crashed over the line and Kelly Haimona converted to take an early 7-0 lead.

Simon Hickey soon after would get Auckland's first points on the board, easily converting a penalty kick from just over the 22.

The Steamers were back on the scoreboard five minutes later following a well worked move from their lineout.

Joe Tupe found a hole and Teddy Stanaway hit the line at speed to finish it off under the posts to take a 12-3 lead.

It didn't take long for the Auckland to connect. Reiko Ioane causing havoc for the Bay of Plenty defence, slipping tackles to make the break to score.

The Steamers hit back, again from the lineout Tupe charged to the line. Following TMO decision Tupe was awarded the try. Auckland replied soon after this time through Lolagi Visinia.

Ioane would score his second on the halftime whistle to take Auckland into the break with a 25-19 lead.

With the second half underway, seven minutes into the second half Haimona's kick was charged down by Hickey, he chased it down and scored. Ioane soon followed to score his hat-trick, taking them out to 39-19 lead.

The substitutions rolled on for both teams. With the introduction of Monty Ioane off the bench the Steamers launched their attack. Ioane made a break and quick ball saw Tupe in for his second.

The Steamers attacked with purpose, Auckland penalised on each attacking phase, the persistence from a solid forwards performance paid off for the Steamers, with Tupe picking up the hat-trick after a push over scrum from the Steamers.

Auckland bounced back just moments later, but that wouldn't be the final play of the game.

Stanaway reached out to pick up his double to bring the Steamers within six points with four minutes remaining.

The Steamers looked hopeful with the crowd behind them to secure the win, but Auckland's defence held firm in the dying minutes to secure the win.

The Steamers will face North Harbour next Saturday on Auckland's North Shore, in what will be Culum Retallick's 100th game in the Bay of Plenty jersey.

Auckland: 44 (Rieko Ioane 3, Lolagi Visinia, Simon Hickey, Melani Nanai tries; Simon Hickey 4 con, 2 pen)

Bay of Plenty: 38 (Joe Tupe 3, Teddy Stanaway 2, Shahn Eru tries; Kelly Haimona 4 con) HT: 25-19 Auckland

Tickets are available online for all Steamers Mitre 10 Cup home games click here to purchase.

Alternatively tickets can be purchased from the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union offices or any ticketmaster outlet for all home games.

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