Bay of Plenty Steamers put on a battling display to hold on to a 38-33 win over Manawatu Turbos at the Rotorua International Stadium tonight to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Mitre 10 Cup semifinals alive.
Victory for the Turbos would have sealed all four playoff places buta late conversion miss from Otere Black and Dan Hollinshead's subsequent penalty saw the home side triumph to a crucial bonus points win.
The Steamers won 85 rucks to the Turbos 55 and made Manawatu make 115 tackles to 69 of their own.
And it was dominance in the set piece that pushed the Steamers to a hard fought victory, as they slid over for five tries whilst Manawatu's handling errors cost them dearly.
The result was particularly pleasing for captain Culum Retallick, who was yellow carded in the first half for his side after pulling down a maul to concede a penalty try.
Bay of Plenty Steamers celebrate after keeping their Mitre 10 Cup season alive. PHOTO/ STEPHEN PARKER.
The Steamers took an early advantage after loosehead prop Aidan Ross bulldozed over with a Hollinshead conversion.
But Manawatu levelled the score after they were awarded a penalty try, followed up soon after with Jason Emery sliding over - both successfully converted by Black.
It was all square at half time thanks to the home side's Jesse Parete who dived over from close range off the back of a powerful Steamers scrum.
After the break the two teams kept toe to toe with tries from Manawatu's Jamie Booth and Steamer's Te Aihe Toma.
The home side then pushed ahead after significant pressure finally told as Henry Stowers scored from close range.
But an impressive break away try with a series of Manawatu passes resulted in an impressive try for Ambrose Curtis.
In the topsy-turvey game, the Steamers retook the lead after a pick and go resulted in a try for Shahn Eru.
But the visitors piled on the pressure late on and despite the Steamers' defence desperately trying to hold on Heiden Bedwell-Curtis touched the ball down from close range.
However the crucial conversion was missed by Black and in the final minute of play Hollinshead was able to kick home a vital penalty after a Manawatu unforced error.
Bay of Plenty then hung on to a season-saving victory and now sitting in fifth, they will still need results next week to work in their favour and beat opposition Hawke's Bay, while the loss means Manawatu can no longer earn a home semifinal.
Bay of Plenty 38 (Aidan Ross, Jesse Parete, Te Aihe Toma, Henry Stowers, Shahn Eru tries; Dan Hollinshead 5 cons, pen) Manawatu 33 (Penalty try, Jason Emery, Jamie Booth, Ambrose Curtis, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis tries; Otere Black 4 cons) HT: 14-14
