Semifinal beckons for Bay of Plenty

4.30pm

Bay of Plenty beat Otago in an NPC rugby match for the first time in 23 years today to add another chapter in a dream season.

The 44-16 win in Mt Maunganui was also Bay of Plenty's highest score against their southern rivals, while the four-try bonus point has also vaulted them back into NPC semifinal reckoning.

It was the ideal way for Bay of Plenty to bounce back after losing the Ranfurly Shield last weekend to Canterbury but continued a horror season of mediocrity for Otago.

First five-eighth Glen Jackson kicked 24 points and Grant McQuoid (two), Ruki Tipuna and Adrian Cashmore scored the tries, while it was fitting Otago's sole try was scored by former Bay of Plenty schoolboy star Ben Smith.

The home side ground out a 17-9 halftime lead thanks largely to the boot of Jackson, who knocked over four penalties after Otago kept infringing within range of the prodigious pivot.

Diminutive halfback Tipuna also crossed after great runs from McQuoid and wing Anthony Tahana, scoring while Otago centre Ryan Nicholas was in the sinbin for a high tackle ironically on Tipuna.

Otago fought back after the break and when Smith crossed from close range and Mathew Berquist converted, Otago had narrowed the margin to just 20-16.

The turning point came when Bay of Plenty snatched a turnover on their own 22, McQuoid ducked through three attempted tackles and fired a blind pass over his shoulder to flying fullback Adrian Cashmore who raced into the corner.

Jackson converted and added a quick penalty to give a 14-point buffer.

McQuoid put the match beyond doubt with two excellent tries, both capitalising on excellent breaks by fellow midfielder Rua Tipoki.

Otago coach Wayne Graham was disappointed at the way his side opened the gates in the second spell.

"They got away on us in the last 20 minutes which is a bit disappointing," Graham said.

"At 20-16 we were back in the game, but one turnover in front of our posts and they scored, and the game turned from there. You can't afford to make those sort of mistakes against this team because they're playing with so much confidence."

Inspirational Bay of Plenty captain Wayne Ormond celebrated his 50th game for the union with another outstanding display but deflected attention away from his achievement.

"That sort of thing doesn't really worry me too much to be honest - the biggest thing from this game was to come out with a win," Ormond said.

"We needed to get our season back on track and the guys put in an outstanding effort. Our biggest asset is operating as a unit and it really showed out there today."

The result lifts Bay of Plenty to 14 points on the NPC table, three ahead of Otago.


BOP 44 (Grant McQuoid 2, Ruki Tipuna, Adrian Cashmore tries; Glen Jackson 6 pen, 3 con)

Otago 16 (Ben Smith Try; Mathew berquist 3 pen, con).

Halftime: 17-9.

- NZPA

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