Bay of Plenty Steamers outplayed by classy Wellington Lions

ON THE RUN: Bay of Plenty Steamers flanker Hugh Blake makes a break against the Wellington Lions at Rotorua International Stadium. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

The Bay of Plenty Steamers have lost 31-10 to the Wellington Lions in Rotorua tonight, in a Mitre 10 Cup game in which they fought hard but things just didn't go their way.

It was a tough old night for the Steamers as they were put under immense pressure at scrum and lineout time by a massive Wellington forward pack boasting All Blacks Jeff To'omaga-Allen and Vaea Fifita.

To make life harder for Bay of Plenty, they lost flanker Mitch Karpik and No 8 Jesse Parete to head knocks within the opening 20 minutes.

They fought admirably and created chances but too often the final pass did not stick and ultimately they were outclassed by a clinical Wellington side who sit top of the Championship table with three wins from three.

Wellington opened the scoring six minutes in on the back of a lineout just outside the Steamers' 22. They worked their way closer to the try line before shifting the ball right. First five Jackson Garden-Bachop drew defenders in before throwing a beautiful floated pass to put winger Malo Tuitama over in the corner.

Garden-Bachop converted and the Lions led 7-0.

Wellington threatened on the attack again minutes later as they broke from inside their own half. Up against the last defender halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara put a grubber in but it curled out of play, to the relief of Bay of Plenty fans.

The Steamers produced a great counter attack in the 20th minute. Wellington had the ball on halfway but it went to ground. Steamers flanker Hugh Blake scooped it up and with open pasture in front of him the big man galloped into the Wellington 22. He was caught and the Steamers spread the ball left but Chase Tiatia's offload was knocked on by Nathan Harris to let the Lions out of jail.

Wellington had their second try in the 34th minute, through lock Isaia Walker-Leawere. It came on the back of a sustained period of possession inside the Steamers' 22. Brad Shields was stopped just short of the line before Walker-Liawere scooped the ball up and bulldozed his way over to score.

The Lions took a 12-0 lead into halftime.

TRY TIME: Second five Terrence Hepetema dives in for the Steamers' only try of the night. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Bay of Plenty started the second half on the front foot and looked to be playing a more expansive brand of rugby. They were rewarded with a penalty just outside the 22, which first five Mike Delany slotted to reduce the Lions' lead to 12-3.

Wellington hit straight back with their third try of the match, and again it was Garden-Bachop pulling the strings. Electric hooker Asafo Aumua went on a barnstorming run into the Steamers' 22. After keeping the ball in hand for several phases Garden-Bachop put a perfect chip in for winger Ben Lam to take uncontested and stroll over the try line. The Lions led 17-3.

Sixty-five minutes into the game the Steamers had their first try and it was a thing of beauty. After receiving a penalty they found touch inside the Wellington 22. They packed a maul and inched their way toward the try line before shifting the ball left. Delany put in a perfectly weighted chip which second five Terrence Hepetema collected to score under the posts. At 17-10 it was game on.

Unfortunately for Bay fans, Wellington were straight back in with a try of their own. Centre Wes Goosen crashed into the line 15m out but wasn't held - he got back to his feet and scampered away to score under the posts. With 10 minutes to play the Lions led 24-10.

Wellington clinched the win with a well deserved try to Aumua. After a rolling maul he broke off 10m from the try line and charged over to score. Garden-Bachop converted and the Lions were victorious, 31-10.

Steamers hooker Harris, who was released by the All Blacks to play this game, said it was an "up and down" game.

"When we actually did manage to hold onto the ball we played some good phases, but with the wet conditions and a few knock ons it wasn't going too well.

"[The Wellington forwards] were relatively good but we were trying to play our game - we were the ones who sort of lost it and gave them the ball in good position," Harris said.

Despite the loss, he enjoyed pulling on the blue and yellow hoops of the Steamers for the first time this season.

"It's unreal, it's always close to my heart so it was good to get out there and get some work under my belt.

"I try and slot in, they've already got their set moves so I try and add in where I can. It's more of a learning week for me and trying to get up to date with all the calls - I threw a few big lineouts today," he said.

Wellington 31 (Malo Tuitama, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Ben Lam, Wes Goosen, Asafo Aumua tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 3 con) Bay of Plenty 10 (Terrence Hepetema try; Mike Delany pen, con) . HT: 12-0.