Rugby: BOP ease past flagging Southland

Mike Delany of Bay of Plenty is tackled. Photo / Getty Images

Bay of Plenty kept their top four playoff hopes alive while delivering Southland's a potentially fatal blow with a 33-22 win in a ITM Cup match at Mt Maunganui today.

Bay of Plenty were quick out of the blocks, scoring two tries in the opening 10 minutes, and kept the foot down until a late, but ultimately fruitless, Southland fling as the home team rebounded from last week's 39-41 upset loss to Tasman with a bonus-point win.

They moved to 37 points, which puts them equal third with Taranaki midway through the penultimate round.

Southland, however, suffered a third consecutive loss and after leading the competition three weeks ago, they are now sixth with 34 points.

ITM Cup standings

Out of form and with a tricky home match against Wellington in the final round, Southland's chances of making the top seven cut are in the balance.

They lacked the same firepower as Bay of Plenty had at their disposal, with the home team's forwards punching holes up the middle and their backs finding plenty of space out wide.

Bay of Plenty were keen to run the ball from the outset and crossed for two early tries in perfect conditions at Bay Park.

First five-eighth Mike Delany jinked through the defence to score under the posts after 2min, while wing Lelia Masaga strolled over 7min later after receiving a beautiful cutout pass from halfback Taniela Moa, who was a constant menace to Southland.

Fullback Toby Arnold, fresh from winning Commonwealth Games gold with the national sevens team in New Delhi, scythed through to give the home team a handy 20-3 halftime lead.

A scrum turnover early after the break gifted Bay of Plenty their bonus-point fourth try, skilful No 8 Colin Bourke picking up the loose ball and delivering a no-look pass to Moa, who scooted away to score.

First five-eighth James Wilson crossed for Southland's first try, but Bourke replied immediately with a well deserved five-pointer from a maul.

Both teams played 10 second half minutes with 14 men as loosehead props Jamie Mackintosh (Southland) and Josh Hohneck (Bay of Plenty) exchanged punches.

There was a scare for the home team when Southland replacements Seminar Manu and Brayden Mitchell crossed for late tries but the result was never in doubt, despite an off day with the boot for Delany, who missed five of his eight attempts at goal.

Bay of Plenty 33 (Mike Delany, Lelia Masaga, Toby Arnold, Taniela Moa, Colin Bourke tries; Delany 2 pen, con) Southland 22 (James Wilson, Seminar Manu, Brayden Mitchell tries; Wilson pen, 2 con). Halftime: 20-3.

- NZPA