Ranfurly Shield: Steamers so close

Chase Tiatia of the Bay of Plenty offloads during the ITM Cup match between Hawke's Bay and Bay of Plenty on September 19, 2015 in Napier, New Zealand. Photo/Getty Images

FULL TIME: Bay of Plenty Steamers came so close to winning the Ranfurly Shield in Napier today but eventually lost 23 -17 to holders Hawke's Bay.

With two minutes to play, Bay of Plenty have a lineout seven metres out. Troy Callandar wins it, the forwards rumble forward but the ball was lost forward as the line beckoned.

So a defensive scrum for the Magpies, with time up, and it looked like the Steamers had turned the ball over. But referee Ben O'Keefepenalised Bay of Plenty in a contentious call that will no doubt be the subject of much scrutiny this week.

And that was that to end another brave Steamers challenge.

Hawke's Bay led 11-10 at halftime after a classic arm wrestle between two well-matched sides. The Steamers started well wth Nick Evemy kicking a penalty for a 3-0 lead. Hawke's Bay came closest to scoring after 15 minutes when winger Ryan Tongia knocked on over the tryline. But when captain Culum Retallick coughed up the ball inside his 22, Tongia made no mistake with a try in the corner.

Evemy just missed a penalty from 46 metres before the Steamers drove from an attacking lineout and blindside flanker Shahn Eru crashed over for the deserved try. Evemy slotted the wide angled conversion and the Steamers led 10-5 after 27 minutes.

Steamers flanker Zac Hohneck conceded a penalty and earned 10 minutes in the bin for a cynical play, which Ihaia West kicked to cut the gap to 10-8. He added another for a slender lead at the break.