Opinion: Momentum can be a real game changer

CRUCIAL FACTOR: Building and maintaining momentum can be the difference between a win and a loss. PHOTO/FILE

When it comes to sport, momentum can change faster than a Lady Gaga back-up dancer between sets.

In team sports especially, the longer you can hold on to and build on that momentum the better your chances of winning.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers learnt that the hard way in their opening Mitre 10 Cup game on Sunday.

They travelled to Northland to take on the Taniwha and dominated territory and possession in the first half. They had all the momentum and led 23-7 at halftime - they were flying.

In the second half, from the kickoff, the Steamers produced an error inside their own 22. It caused an instant shift in momentum which, to their credit, Northland pounced on and maintained. They never looked back and romped home for a 28-23 comeback victory.

After the game Steamers coach Clayton McMillan said some facets of their game, such as the lineout and scrum, got "a bit wobbly" once they were under pressure. They had lost momentum and suddenly things became a lot harder.

On the same afternoon the Bay of Plenty rugby league team, the Lakers, played Northland in a game where momentum shifted countless times throughout the 80 minutes.

Both sides went on try-scoring bursts where they would score two or three in quick succession. In the end it was the Lakers who made the most of their periods of dominance to win 30-26.

In professional sports, where every player on the field or court is a highly skilled athlete, it can be momentum that decides the result.

Melbourne Storm, Queensland and Australia rugby league captain Cameron Smith is a master of the art of turning the tide mid-game. So often he will pop out of dummy-half and kick a 40-20 or produce a game-changing try assist. It often comes down to the ability to make the right decisions at the right times.

In the NBA you let a three-point specialist like the Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry "get hot" at your peril. Often, if he nails a couple of three-pointers in succession he gets on a roll and seemingly can't miss.

This Friday, in Rotorua, the Steamers take on Hawke's Bay in a fixture both sets of fans mark on their calendars at the start of the season.

The Bay of Plenty side will need to make the right decisions and make the most of any momentum they can build if they want bragging rights in the Battle of the Bays.