Bays hold out gallant Counties revival

The second division NPC final will be a repeat of last year after Nelson Bays showed that teamwork outclasses individual flair, but only just.

Nelson Bays beat Counties Manukau in their semifinal at Pukekohe yesterday to set up a showdown with Hawkes Bay in Napier on Saturday.

Only pride will be on the line, as both teams will be part of the Premier Division in the enlarged competition next year.

Counties Manukau are also in the Premier Division, but will need to improve their application to a game plan - or at least find one.

Hawkes Bay reached the final with a 15-11 win over North Otago.

Yesterday's match was Counties' final NPC appearance at Pukekohe, as they move to Ericsson Stadium next year.

The acclaimed inside back combination of Eroni Clarke and Niva Ta'auso were outshone totally by Rico Gear, who had a heavy influence on the game, scoring one try and setting up at least two others.

Gear was instrumental in organising his team-mates and doing more than just his job.

The match was the 100th and the last for Lee Ligard at Counties Manukau, and a disappointing way to round out his career.

"It wasn't how I wanted to finish. I'd much rather have made 101 games.

"We almost came back, but we waited too long," said the Counties prop, who is off to Italy for another coaching stint.

"When Nelson started getting out to a lead I said to the boys, 'Believe in yourselves, this is what used to happen to us all the time in the past and we were able to come back and win'.

"I think there's some good young fellas in Counties, but they have to remember it's a game, and to enjoy themselves. There's a lot of promise here and with a few old hands coming back Counties can do okay in Premier Division."

Ligard almost ruled out a comeback: "Next year is a long way away. I'm 37 now ... we'll see."

Counties started the semifinal well with an early try to Troy Nathan, but then their scoring was limited to penalties as the visitors scored thanks to a scything run by Gear and wing Lucky Mulipola to lead 20-13 at the break.

Nelson Bays then piled on the points with tries to Robbie Malneek, Mark Bright and Rudolf Meredith to have a lead of 39-13 with around 20 minutes remaining.

A rousing comeback by Counties saw the home side cross the tryline three times, thanks to Nathan again, the speed of wing Lelia Masaga and then Tim Manawatue.

Unfortunately for Counties, the usually reliable Nathan missed two conversions and a penalty, which proved costly.

A late try by prop Sekope Kepu after another Masaga run put Counties within two points, but time ran out.

"I'm glad we held them out," said a relieved Gear. "Their passes were sticking near the end when they were making the half- breaks. It made it hard for us.

"By my own standards, I've been quiet lately and had to show a bit of leadership. These are the games I needed to step up in. Today was the intensity of a semifinal.

"I think Nelson Bays can do okay in the Premier Division."

Nelson Bays 39

Counties Manukau 37