Rugby: Bay of Plenty survive Turbos' late charge

Bay of Plenty number eight Colin Bourke. Photo / Getty Images

Bay of Plenty 28
Manawatu 27

A spirited Manawatu were left broken hearted after going down 27-28 to Bay of Plenty in an Air NZ Cup rugby match at Palmerston North last night.

Led by sterling performances from No 8 Brent Thompson and skipper and blindside flanker Nick Croswell, Manawatu did all the running after they trailed Bay of Plenty 3-13 after 22 minutes.

But two long range Bay of Plenty counter-punches in the second half which resulted in tries swung the result their way.

The competition's leading scorer Mike Delany had pumped over two first half penalties for Bay of Plenty before blindside flanker Luke Braid slipped a tackle to score a converted try for a handy lead.

But after a slow start, Manawatu roared into life as their forwards overpowered their counterparts.

Centre Tomasi Cama and Croswell featured in two surging runs which the Bay of Plenty defence did well to smother. But there was no stopping a third rush when Thompson charged off the back of a scrum.

The No 8 was stopped but lock Reece Robinson was at hand to continue the movement and crash over for the try which Isaac Thompson, a late replacement for an injured Aaron Cruden, converted.

Trailing 10-13 at halftime, Manawatu dished out more of the same to Bay of Plenty in the second half, their commitment growing as they sniffed a chance of a come-from-behind victory.

But Bay of Plenty struck when they won a turnover. Second five-eighth Phil Burleigh chipped the ball over the Manawatu backline but the kick was misfielded by Manawatu fullback Casey Stone.

With the rebound kindly falling into his arms, Burleigh raced away with no defender in sight to score an easy try.

Manawatu's commitment was finally rewarded minutes after wing Aaron James was bundled out into touch near the flag post with Thompson finishing off a Johnny Leota move.

But in a 10-minute spell, Bay of Plenty stretched their lead out to 11 points.

Once again, Manawatu had Bay of Plenty pinned in their 22 when they lost the ball. The clearing kick was made and Bay of Plenty wing Jason Hona was first to the ball, leaving a desperate Manawatu lock Jason Goode in the distance as he scored his try.

A Thompson penalty closed the gap for Manawatu and with two minutes to go, substitute front rower Sean O'Connor scored a converted try but a luckless Manawatu had run out of time.

Bay of Plenty 28 (Luke Braid, Phil Burleigh, Jason Hona, tries; Mike Delaney 3 pen, 2 con) Manawatu 27 (Reece Robinson, Brent Thompson, Sean O'Connor tries; Isaac Thompson 2 pen, 3 con). Halftime: 13-10.

- NZPA