Rugby: Bason blows his chance as battling Counties fall short

Tanerau Latimer of Bay of Plenty. Photo / Getty Images

Bay of Plenty 20
Counties Manukau 13

On reflection, Counties might wonder how they got so close.

The first crossover match of the ITM Cup pitted last year's seventh- and eighth-placed teams against each other in Pukekohe.

While in some respects there was a gulf in class, the only place it wasn't obvious was the scoreboard.

Premiership team Bay of Plenty enjoyed a wealth of possession and field position, but struggled to land a killer blow against Championship side Counties.

"We didn't really capitalise on a lot of [possession]," Bay of Plenty captain Colin Bourke said.

"We made some silly errors and got ourselves isolated at times, which put us back under pressure."

The two first five-eighths, Daniel Waenga, of the Steamers, and his Steelers opposite James Semple, traded early penalties before Bay of Plenty hooker Daniel Perrin crossed the line.

Fullback Toby Arnold scored in the second half, while Niva Ta'auso bagged Counties' only try.

In the end it was Counties who took the knife to themselves.

Late in the game the hosts had a gift-wrapped chance to draw level on the scoreboard, but replacement halfback David Bason, who transferred north this year from Waikato, took a questionable option when presented with a two-on-one opportunity.

While he successfully sold a dummy to the last line of defence, he was never going to have the pace to get to the line himself and was caught by the cover with ridiculous ease.

That was the last time the home side genuinely threatened, mainly because their lineout suffered a complete disintegration.

Seven times Bay of Plenty pilfered ball from the Counties lineout, due mainly to the excellent work of jumper Culum Retallick.

"The lineouts need a serious bit of work this week," Counties captain and lock Jamie Chipman acknowledged.

If Retallick was the game's dominant figure, Bay of Plenty replacement halfback Taniela Moa was the man who made the difference. The former Aucklander was a handful for Counties from the moment he came on for Jamie Nutbrown early in the second half, but it was his steal off Ahsee Tuala and subsequent pass to Arnold that gave Bay of Plenty the decisive lead.

Counties have no time to sulk. With the competition's contracted calendar, they face Manawatu in Pukekohe on Wednesday in a game they would have earmarked as a must-win.

Bay of Plenty rest up midweek before facing North Harbour at Mt Maunganui on Saturday.

Bay of Plenty 20 (Daniel Perrin, Toby Arnold tries; Daniel Waenga 2 con, 2 pen) Counties-Manukau 13 (Niva Ta'auso try; James Semple 2 pen, con). Halftime: 13-10.