Rugby: Steamers deal to sorry Steelers

First five Dan Hollinshead controlled proceedings with some authority and kicked 12 points. Photo / Getty

Bay of Plenty 37
Counties Manukau 26

The Counties Manukau Steelers will have plenty of soul searching ahead of them after falling to their fourth straight loss in the Premiership.

A poor first half in the face of a more structured and committed Bay of Plenty Steamers saw the visitors claim a bonus point with the wind. The 22-point margin at oranges was plenty enough.

Perhaps three games in nine days had finally taken its toll on the Steelers, who have now dropped two on the bounce in Pukekohe. They were often listless and inaccurate.

Bay of Plenty are solid in third position on the Championship ladder, and this was the third occasion in 2015 that a team from the second tier has lowered a Premiership outfit.

There was plenty to like from the Steamers' display, especially in the opening stanza, where hooker Nathan Harris found his go-to man at lock, co-captain Culum Retallick, while blindside flanker Shahn Eru was prominent in both the tight and loose. First five Dan Hollinshead controlled proceedings with some authority and kicked 12 points.

It all kicked off for them in just the second minute when fullback Chase Tiatia scored, bolting down the left flank. Eru and halfback Te Aihe Toma scored before Hollinshead put replacement fullback Te Rangi Fraser in with a judicious grubber. At 24-5 it was effectively game over.

Tana Umaga rung the changes at halftime and was hoping the Steelers would put the wind to good use and gain valuable field position. His ace was to be 37-year-old veteran No 10 Willie Walker, but he busted his shoulder after only a few minutes, meaning Nathan de Thierry re-entered the fray.

Centre Sam Vaka and No 8 Maama Vaipulu tried valiantly to rally their teammates and there was time for replacement halfback Richard Judd to score a brace and the Steelers to procure a bonus point. But it was all to no avail for the disappointed and smallish crowd.

It was, however, a fine day for Bay of Plenty rugby, with Rotorua Boys' High First XV winning the national schools title for the first time since 2003, 36-27 over Scots College of Wellington in the final.

Counties Manukau travel to Albany to meet North Harbour on Saturday, while Bay of Plenty are in Rotorua hosting Taranaki.

Former Pukekohe, Counties and All Blacks prop Rod Ketels presented a tribute Counties Manukau No 14 jersey to Steelers legend Joeli Vidiri at halftime. His old union could have done with some of his old magic on the day.

Bay of Plenty 37 (Chase Tiatia, Shahn Eru, Te Aihe Toma, Te Rangi Fraser, Whaimotu Craft-Chemis tries; Dan Hollinshead 3 con, 2 pen)
Counties Manukau 26 (Richard Judd 2, Sione Fifita, Sikeli Nabou tries; Jared Page 3 con)
Halftime: 27-5