League: BOP Lakers win high-scoring game against Northern Swords

POWERHOUSE: Bay of Plenty Lakers forward Jeremy Siulepa rumbles up the middle against the Northern Swords at Puketawhero Park on Sunday. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

The Bay of Plenty Lakers have come out on top in a 12-try thriller against the Northern Swords, winning 30-26.

The game, played at Puketawhero Park in Rotorua on Sunday, marked the first round of the NZRL Inter-District Provincial northern pool qualifiers.

Being the first game of the competition, neither side looked particularly polished during the first 10 minutes, but once they found their feet the points started flowing.

Northern were the first to find the tryline after a period of sustained pressure in the Bay of Plenty half. Five-eighth Brodee Palmer received the ball on the left with numbers on his outside. He got his arms free in the tackle and threw a basketball pass to put winger Jordan Katene over in the corner.

From the resulting kick off Northern worked their way upfield with a strong set and centre Sua Sosopo scored their second try after cutting in off the right wing and beating three tackles.

Having looked a little overwhelmed up to this point, Bay of Plenty pulled themselves together and 25 minutes into the game they found the tryline.

After working their way into the Northern half, Bay of Plenty shifted the ball right where fullback Kihiroa Wihapi had entered the line. He drew in defenders before putting winger Yannis Mea over in the corner, making the score 10-4.

Bay of Plenty had the momentum and with Darcy Hunt and Cody King providing great impact off the bench they scored again straight from the kickoff. This time it was the other winger Tyrone Henderson in the left-hand corner.

The Lakers appeared to have discovered the key to unlocking the Northern defence and halfback Kale Pomare produced a superb piece of individual brilliance, chipping over the defensive line and regathering to score under the posts.

Northern winger Israel Tahere scored to make the score 14-all before Henderson scored his second for Bay of Plenty to take an 18-14 lead into halftime.

The momentum shifted again in the second half. Bay of Plenty were on the attack and looking potent when Northern centre Te Tuhi Tipene intercepted a pass. He was chased down near halfway but found Tahere who raced away for his second try of the game.

Minutes later Sosopo scored his second for Northern and they led 22-18 with 20 minutes to play.

Just as they did in the first half Bay of Plenty composed themselves and fought hard to get back in the game. They did just that when forward Jeremy Siulepa showed great desire to get on the end of a Pomare grubber and score to give the Bay a 24-22 lead.

With five minutes to play, and buoyed by his try-scoring effort, Siulepa skittled defenders as he made a rampaging run up the middle of the field. He was rewarded when, two tackles later, he powered his way over for a second try, under the posts. It was converted and Bay of Plenty led 30-22.

Northern scored in the dying minutes to make it 30-26, but it was too little too late.

Bay of Plenty coach Paniora Daniels said, overall, he was happy with the team's first hit-out.

"We're still figuring out some combinations and a few of the boys were still sore from [the BOP/Coastline premier final] the weekend before.

"We defended pretty well under a lot of pressure and full credit to Northland - they brought a really strong side down.

"I was happy with the character our boys showed - we knew it was going to be a grind and they stuck to it for the full 80 minutes. They all played well," Daniels said.