Bay of Plenty Steamers claimed their first win of the season with a deserved 21-14 victory over North Harbour in front of a sparse crowd at Rotorua's International Stadium on Sunday.
North Harbour had not won at a Bay of Plenty venue since 2006 and they found the Steamers in no mood to change that statistic. Their defence was outstanding, and the key factor in this battle of the two winless teams.
The Steamers were gifted the ball from the opening kick off after a Harbour fumble and the forwards hoed into their work. Eventually a penalty was conceded and Te Aihe Toma, making his starting debut at first five-eighth, missed an absolute sitter.
Harbour first-five Matt McGahan, aided by the first half breeze, missed a minute later from 50 metres and again from 35 metres after nine minutes, in a scrappy start from both teams lacking confidence.
McGahan missed a simple shot at goal in the 15th minute but Harbour settled in to their work better, and they finally did open the scoring through hooker James Parsons, after Bay made a mess of clearing a harmless kick ahead. McGahan found his range from touch to give Harbour a 7-0 lead.