KEY POINTS:
Canterbury gave Bay of Plenty a lesson in finishing as they ran in six tries to two for a 37-20 win in an eighth round Air NZ Cup rugby match in Christchurch last night.
The bonus-point victory solidifies Canterbury's position as second in the table on 33 points,
behind undefeated Wellington.
With Southland and Hawke's Bay still to come to complete their regular season schedule, last night's loss might prove costly for the Bay in the tight contest for play-off spots.
But for an off-night for Stephen Brett who converted just two of the six tries, the score might have been heavier against the Steamers who started brightly enough to take a 10-3 lead after just 17 minutes.
Trailing 0-3 from a fourth-minute penalty to Brett, Bay of Plenty struck back minutes later.
Canterbury failed to control the restart, allowing Bay of Plenty to construct a well-taken try set up by first five-eighth Mike Delany.
Delany's draw and pass was carried on by centre Cory Aporo who found the line despite Adam Whitelock's tackle.
Delany converted and added two penalties to complete the Steamers' scoring in the first half, but by then Canterbury were well in control.
The Steamers tried to play with structure but were ultimately predictable and once Canterbury found their rhythm, their running game was hard to suppress.
Wing Scott Hamilton had another fine game, ranging far and wide to get into the thick of the action while No 8 Mose Tuiali'i and locks Michael Paterson and Isaac Ross had a hand in a number of tries.
In the space of 37 minute on either side of the breather, Canterbury bagged five tries.
Tuiali'i, Hamilton, fullback Colin Slade, with a long range effort, and Whitelock got on to the score sheet to give Canterbury the bonus point before halftime.
While Slade's 65m effort was memorable, Canterbury's next try was outstanding as Hamilton and Bateman combined to leave the Bay of Plenty defence chasing shadows. Bateman took the final pass off Hamilton to finish off a fluid move.
Bay of Plenty hit back through No 6 Solomon King who finally got the touchdown after a number of lunges at the line by the forwards but by then it was too late.
Canterbury sealed the win just before the hooter with Brett converting his own try.
Canterbury 37 (Mose Tuiali'i, Scott Hamilton, Colin Slade, Adam Whitelock, Tim Bateman, Stephen Brett tries; Brett pen, 2 con) Bay of Plenty 20 (Cory Aporo, Solomon King tries; Mike Delany 2 pen, 2 con). Halftime: 23-13.
- NZPA