BOP Steamers beat North Harbour

Bay of Plenty Steamers players Joe Edwards, left, and Joe Royal, celebrate with a hongi.

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.

Another botched catch from the kick off gave the Steamers a chance on attack. Harbour were caught offside and eventually after a second lineout drive 5 metres out, prop Mike Kainga dived over. Nic Evemy converted for 7-7 after 25 minutes.

Harbour dominated territory and looked assured on attack going wide, but had nothing to show for the dominance. The Steamers first chance out of their territory for 15 minutes led to a ruck penalty that Evemy slotted for a 10-7 lead with three to play before the break.

Steamers halfback Jono Kitto had a kick charged down, giving Harbour a late chance in the half, which they took full toll of with prop Greg Pleasants-Tate finishing a fine move to crash over against his former team in the corner. McGahan's superb kick gave Harbour
a confidence-boosting lead 14-10 at the break.

The Steamers started the second 40 minutes superbly, putting nine accurate phases together before fullback Leroy van Dam sprinted across for a fine team try. Evemy then increased the lead to 18-14 with a long range penalty.

A fumble at the base of the Steamers scrum gave Harbour a great attacking chance but again the Steamers defence was outstanding. With 15 minutes to play, they had missed just six tackles, in a huge turnaround from Wednesday night's 30 missed tackles against Manawatu.

Evemy was just short with a penalty attempt from 47 metres. The Steamers dominated the late stages, with the pack featuring replacements Nathan Harris and Culum Retallick. After a try claim was rejected by the TMO after a scramble near the posts, the Steamers had the loosehead feed to a scrum. Harbour conceded a penalty which Evemy easily kicked for a 21-14 lead with five to play.

Harbour had a late lineout feed 12 metres out. They won the ball but more outstanding Steamers commitment turned the ball over and they cleared the danger. The final whistle was welcomed with great enthusiasm by the Steamers players, who thoroughly deserved the win.

Bay of Plenty 21 (Mike Kainga, Leroy van Dam tries; Nic Evemy con, 3 pen) North Harbour 14 (James Parsons, Greg Pleasants-Tate tries; Matt McGahan 2 cons)