Rugby: Slip hurts as Steamers find flair

Steamers replacement No8 Joe Tupe passes to Beau Robinson against Waikato.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers were relegated from the top tier ITM Premiership after losing to Waikato by 28-25 at a sun-drenched ASB Baypark Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The loss was the Steamers seventh from eight games and will be harder to take for players, coaches and especially the fans than any of the others because it was the team's best performance of the season.

The Steamers scored three tries to one and the try they conceded came with just five minutes to play. What killed the Steamers off was the amount of penalties they conceded, particularly at rucks, which enabled Trent Renata to kick seven penalty goals.

All season long the Steamers have been pinged at the breakdown for incorrect entry and lying on the ball and the trend continued on Saturday. The frustration became audible throughout the excellent crowd that turned up and at times you wondered if inexperienced referee Ben O'Keefe was just watching one team.

But the amount of turnover ball was a major factor in the loss as Waikato were barely holding on for large chunks of the match but were let off with the Steamers' basic errors time and time again.

The Steamers started slowly but closed to trail 9-8 after a fine try to former Italy international Josh Sole set up by a superb tactical kick by young Australian fullback Elliott Hagan.

Just before halftime Steamers flanker Johan Bardoul got one back on the province that let him go by scoring a well taken try and with Willie Ripia's touchline conversion they went into the break ahead 15-12.

Playing into a freshening breeze, the Steamers played their best rugby of the season to put themselves in a seemingly unbeatable position. The forwards howed into their work with the aggression of the Steamers of old and the backline looked lively.

When outstanding winger Tino Nemani scored after a concerted attack the Steamers were in control leading 25-15.

But a succession of penalties conceded turned the tide in Waikato's favour and what hurt just as much was the unforced errors gifting possession away inside the Waikato 22.

Waikato forced the Steamers to clear the ball 24 metres out and from the lineout Waikato nailed their one clearcut chance of the second half.

It was no surprise the weak defensive channel between first and second-five eighth was targeted as it has been vulnerable all season. Waikato's Sam Christie broke through it and captain Jackson Willison won the game from the offload.

There was still time for one more Steamers raid into Waikato's red zone but another messy turnover ended last hopes.

The Steamers have one game left next Saturday against Northland in Whangarei before the soul searching and analysis will begin.

Waikato 28 (Jackson Willison try; Trent Renata con, 7 pens) defeated Bay of Plenty 25 (Josh Sole, Johan Bardoul, Tino Nemani tries; Willie Ripia 2 cons, 2 pens). Halftime 15-12 BOP.