ITM Cup: Steamers left to rue missed tackles

Steamers No 8 Joe Tupe takes on the Tasman defence in the loss at ASB Baypark yesterday. Photo / George Novak

The Steamers were soundly beaten 56-27 by Tasman Makos at ASB Baypark yesterday in the opening home game of their ITM Cup campaign.

The loss in beautiful conditions on the pristine new pitch at Baypark means two defeats without bonus points from their opening two games.

Conceding seven tries at home is no fun but, aside from a 24-point burst from Tasman in the first half that effectively won the match, the Steamers more than held their own for large periods of the game. They closed to within 12 points with just 10 minutes to play but a late flurry from Tasman ended the hopes of the good-sized crowd of a comeback victory.

Simply, the Steamers lacked the clinical efficiency of their more experienced opponents.

Steamers head coach Kevin Schuler was far from despondent after the game but was left to rue that first-half points scoring spree by the Makos.

"Both teams started well but it was just that bang, bang, bang on the back of some poor kick chase really," he said.

"They moved the ball and our defence out in the channels wasn't good enough ... just one-off tackling that we have to make.

"The other thing overall was our set piece let us down too. We gave them three or four tries directly off set piece, which is just not good enough. That is what you train for so we are going to have to train again.

"We had our moments on attack and we did some very good defence through the middle of the park in the second half, and stopped them going through completely. Our boys will be hurting and it is just the little bit of detail around our defence. If we can shore that up we can enjoy more attacking rugby because we will get the ball back as well."

The Steamers next game is against Taranaki in New Plymouth next Sunday.