Nervy Bay overcome hairy start to stave off drop

By CHRIS RATTUE

Outside back Jason Tiatia had more reason than most to smile after Bay of Plenty staved off relegation - even though he may not be part of their third season back in the NPC first division.

Two weeks ago Tiatia bombed a try against Waikato, from a Glen Jackson crossfield kick, that would have secured the Steamers bonus points and automatic first division salvation.

Instead, they had to endure Saturday's promotion-relegation match against Hawkes Bay, after a fortnight their veteran captain Mark Weedon described as the most nerve-racking of his 17-season first-class career.

Tiatia had to endure the ribbing of teammates as the Steamers prepared for the match at Rotorua's International Stadium, which they won after withstanding an opening Hawkes Bay onslaught in front of a crowd of just 3000.

"Even when I was taking a pass or a simple chip kick at training other players would say 'make sure you don't drop it'," said Tiatia, who is off contract with Canterbury, who loaned him to BoP this season.

"I did find it especially nerve-racking after what happened against Waikato. It was a pressure catch. That's the bounce of the ball in rugby. No one's perfect. We all stick together."

Tiatia must now talk turkey with Canterbury about his future, and hopes his exposure in the NPC with Bay of Plenty will help his cause, although he feels "right at home" with the Steamers.

Most of the other Bay of Plenty players can now prepare for another year with the Steamers in the first division.

For much of Saturday's match, they looked anything but first-division class.

Hawkes Bay took a 14-3 lead through tries set up by their strong-running forwards and a clever attack finished superbly by fullback Jacob Kennedy after the home side failed to control their ruck ball.

That was a constant early theme, with Bay of Plenty outnumbered at breakdowns and struggling to deliver ruck ball.

They calmed the nerves with a Dave Duley try after a scrambling attack. Jackson then kicked a penalty, and on halftime wobbled a drop kick over via the crossbar after realising an attack was going nowhere.

Bay of Plenty were not headed from there. Jackson, as expected, was a dominant figure. Hawkes Bay made some poor decisions on defence, and Bay of Plenty had enough class to take advantage.

The killer try came midway through the spell when Jackson opted for a long cross-field kick from a penalty deep in his half, almost setting up a try for Damian Karauna but instead creating an attacking lineout from which prop Simms Davison scored.

At 34-14, Hawkes Bay were goners.

As good as Hawkes Bay's bid was, it reinforced the uphill battle second division teams face in the era dominated by player ambitions and smart recruitment.

Bay of Plenty were often jittery with so much resting on the outcome, yet they still won by a healthy margin. There will continue to be second division bids to have the promotion-relegation game played on their patch, yet even home advantage might not make up the differences. Still, Hawkes Bay have been worthy prospects.

The 34-year-old Weedon said: "The last two weeks are the most nervous ones I have ever had to go through in my career.

"The season was so hard mentally and to finish knowing there was so much riding on the game was tough.

"I'm very proud that I've come back to where it all started for me. It wasn't to do with money. This union doesn't have much. I'm so lucky to have had such a great time in rugby, travelled the world, experienced different cultures, then to be able to give something back here.

"We were probably a bit surprised by the intensity of Hawkes Bay early on. You just expect something to happen, which is a danger when you are expected to win."

Bay of Plenty coach Vern Cotter hit back at Hawkes Bay claims that the second division union should have home advantage.

Cotter said it was "ironic" given that Hawkes Bay looked capable of winning the game in the early stages, and might have contemplated being a first division side having to play away next season to stay there.

Bay of Plenty believe they have secured most of their squad for next year, including Brumbies prop Guy Shepherdson.

Hawkes Bay coach Kieran Keane said the score did not reflect the closeness of the game.

"We caught them with their tweeds down, rattled their cage. Unfortunately we had a flat patch.

"You can win and lose these games in the blink of an eye," he said.