Bay of Plenty misfire at Provincial Sevens

Bay of Plenty Blue men's team player Teddy Stanaway and his side made it to the Cup semi-finals at the Bay of Plenty Provincial Sevens Tournament. PHOTO/ FILE

It was a tough tournament for home sides at the 2017 Bay of Plenty Provincial Sevens Tournament.

The competition featured two Bay of Plenty men's sevens sides and one women's team competing for titles at Blake Park, Tauranga today. The Bay of Plenty Blue men's team, coached by Paul Tietjens and featuring the return of All Blacks Sevens squad players Dan Hollinshead and Teddy Stanaway, reached the Plate semi-final but were beaten 33-24 against Auckland.

And the men's Bay of Plenty Gold were beaten narrowly 28-16 against Wellington in the Bowl semi-final.

Whilst local favourites - the Bay of Plenty women's side, coached by Victoria Grant and including the return of Black Ferns Sevens player Kelly Brazier, lost by a hefty 32-7 to Manawatu in the Cup semi-final.

Despite there not being much home cheer on offer there was still much top flair and talent on display with Provincial Sevens title holders Taranaki, last year's Bayleys National Sevens winners Counties Manukau and a talented Samoan Barbarians side all in action.

In the men's Cup final it was a strong Waikato side who rained on the Samoan Barbarians parade.

Waikato showed their dominance holding a 21 - 7 lead over Samoan Barbarians at the break. Returning from half-time the Samoan Barbarians attacked, however Waikato's defence proved difficult to break.

Eventually the Barbarians were rewarded late in the second half for their persistence. However it was Waikato who had the answer and responded with ease to extend their lead. Waikato eventually winning 31 - 17 to claim the title.

Meanwhile Manawatu faced Auckland in the Provincial Sevens women's Cup final. Manawatu held the narrowest of leads at the break, leading Auckland 7 - 5.

The second-half saw the teams tussled for possession. But it was Auckland who took an early lead following the break. However Manawatu capitalised on their opportunities and held onto to defend their title with a narrow 12 - 10 win.

Today's tournament provided all teams with a solid preparation for next weekend's Bayleys National Sevens in Rotorua on the 14 and 15 January.

-More to come

2017 Provincial Sevens play-off results:

Men's:

Cup Final: Waikato 26 v Samoan Barbarians 14

Cup Semi-final 1: Waikato 28 v Counties Manukau 7

Cup Semi-final 2: Samoan Barbarians 29 v Northland 0

Plate Final: Auckland 14 v Manawatu 35

Plate Semi-final 1: Auckland 33 v Bay of Plenty Blue 24

Plate Semi-final 2: Hawkes Bay 24 v Manawatu 26

Bowl Final: North Harbour (defaulted) v Wellington

Bowl Semi-final 1: North Harbour 19 v Taranaki 7

Bowl Semi-final 2: Bay of Plenty Gold 26 v Wellington 28

Women's:

Cup final: Auckland 10 v Manawatu 12

Cup Semi-final 1: Auckland 20 v Canterbury 10

Cup Semi-final 2: Manawatu 32 v Bay of Plenty 7

Plate final: Wellington 21 v Waikato 17

Plate Semi-final 1: Wellington v Taranaki (defaulted)

Plate Semi-final 2: Waikato 15 v North Harbour 10