BoP secure crucial win as Southland slip back

6.00pm

BAY OF PLENTY 24 SOUTHLAND 11

The Bay of Plenty rugby team are hunting more scalps after their win over Southland today all but secured their place in the NPC first division next season.

It was Bay of Plenty's first win of the season and gave them breathing space near the foot of the division, leaving bottom-placed Northland and Southland to fight for the scraps.

Bay of Plenty, who led 13-8 at halftime, didn't seal victory until the final quarter, needing two penalties from first-five Glen Jackson and a cheeky try to replacement wing Anthony Tahana in the 37th minute to shake off Southland.

But the closeness of the game failed to disguise an inept and low-skill display from both teams.

Frequent turnovers, poor defence and an average kicking game killed much of the enjoyment for the 4000-strong crowd.

Both teams also struggled with their lineouts in blustery conditions, with Southland skipper Corey Flynn battling to throw the ball straight and Bay of Plenty hookers Aleki Lutui and Robbie Simpkins frequently failing to hit their targets.

Southland coach Phil Young's decision to bench regular first five-eighth Ash Barron and give his replacement Richard Newman responsibility for kicking backfired, with Newman missing three easy shots his side desperately needed.

Bay of Plenty captain Mark Weedon said desperation played a big part in his team's win.

"It was scrappy all right, but we came away with the win and that's really all that matters to the boys at the moment.

"We're not off the hook yet (to avoid a relegation playoff) but we've given ourselves some valuable breathing space."

Jackson scored 19 of his side's 24 points, opening the scoring in the first minute with a penalty and grabbing the first try when he was mauled over by his forwards 13 minutes later.

Jackson's conversion and subsequent dropped goal gave Bay of Plenty a 13-3 lead after the first quarter.

Desperate defence by the home side, led by outstanding flanker Wayne Ormond, Weedon and openside flanker Rodney Voullaire, late in the first half looked to have paid off.

But Flynn, floating out on the wing, got his side back into the game with a well taken overlap try two minutes into first-half injury time.

Second five-eighth Seremaia Bai snapped a dropped goal to cut Bay of Plenty's lead to 13-11 early in the second half but two Jackson penalties gave the home side a 19-11 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.

Quick thinking from Jackson, who tapped and ran when a simple shot in front seemed like the easy option, put Tahana in for a try out wide.

Ormond, Voullaire, Weedon and lock Greg Rawlinson were the pick of Bay of Plenty's forwards, while centre Dale Rasmussen tied up Southland dangerman Hayden Martine.

Paul Miller again proved a handful on the charge at No 8 for Southland, with lock Steve Jackson disrupting Bay of Plenty's lineout and flanker Ben Herring a menace from broken play.

Scores:-

Bay of Plenty 24 (Glen Jackson, Anthony Tahana tries; Jackson 3 pen, dropped goal, con)

Southland 11 (Corey Flynn try; Richard Newman pen, Seremaia Bai dropped goal).

Halftime 13-8.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES