Northland halfback Sam Nock on the charge for his side which narrowly lost to Bay of Plenty 38-35.
Photo/Bay of Plenty Times
Northland face the daunting prospect of facing Mitre 10 Cup Championship leaders Waikato after the Cambridge Blue lost its last round robin match against Bay of Plenty this afternoon.
The Steamers ran in six tries to overpower the Taniwha 38-35 in Tauranga but they have just been squeezed out of
the semi final.
Having finished last on the ladder, Northland will travel to Hamilton next weekend to face the Mooloos in what will be a re-match of round eight when Waikato won 28-71.
In Tauranga today, Bay of Plenty scored four tries in a dominant first half, when they led 26-7 under bathing sun at Tauranga Domain.
Prop James Lay opened the account, driving over after several phases. His fellow front-rower Jeff Thwaites followed soon afterwards, in a movement that started with flanker Mitch Karpik.
