Rugby: Teams feel heat of battle in tie

Mount Maunganui centre Teddy Stanaway looks to pass against Tauranga Sports on Saturday. Photo/Andrew Warner

The old line about "mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun" seemed apt on Saturday as round 2 of the Bayfair Baywide premier season played out under uncomfortably high temperatures.

The summer conditions were ideal for the Ford Trophy cricket final at the Bay Oval but next door at Blake Park it was a different story.

The Mount Maunganui Sports and Tauranga Sports players were clearly hampered by the heat and after a pulsating first 40 minutes they ran out of puff until their second winds kicked in for the final 10 minutes.

Both unbeaten teams scored three tries before the match ended in a 24-24 draw.

Mount had the better of the opening and closing stages of the match but after trailing 24-17 at halftime were unable to turn ample possession into points until the final few minutes.

Former Auckland and NZ under-20 centre Teddy Stanaway showed plenty of strength and determination to cross for the vital late try that left his team trailing 22-24. Up stepped first-five Cayden Matehaere to slot the conversion from the chalk to tie the match.

It meant the newly minted Hunter Shield - Battle of the Bridge, will have to wait for the next encounter between these two fierce rivals.

While the backs will take plenty of the plaudits for the tries scored, particularly Mount winger Chad Jacobs and his opponents George Honey and Philip Togotogorua, a tough old-fashioned blindside flanker was the standout player.

Steamers rep Johan Bordoul was a huge presence in the match and set up the try of the match from the kick off following an early penalty to Matehaere. Bardot took the ball about 10 metres in his own half and smashed his way up field 35 metres in a barnstorming run. He set up quick ruck ball which the slick Mount backs sent wide for Jacobs to score.

Mount were cruising 17-7 ahead with 10 minutes to play in the opening half when Tauranga struck twice to lead 24-17 at the break.

And that is the way it stayed as the pace of the game fell right off in the heat until the final chaotic finale.

Mount Maunganui 24 (Chad Jacobs 2, Teddy Stanaway tries; Cayden Matehaere 3 cons, pen) Tauranga Sports 24 (Brent Hamlin, George Honey, Philip Togotogorua tries; Geoff Berry 3 cons, pen). Halftime 24-17 (TSauranga Sports.).