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Bay of Plenty back to full steam |
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Written by Jamie Troughton
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Monday, 13 September 2004 |
BAY of Plenty's charge towards the NPC semifinals regained some lost momentum with a record-breaking, milestone-raising win over Otago on Saturday.
Any remaining Ranfurly Shield hangovers were banished as the Steamers beat their third Super 12 franchise-based side of the season, handing Otago a 44-16 mauling.
Not only was it a record score against their southern rivals, it was also the first NPC victory over them since 1981.
The win and four-try bonus point lifts Bay of Plenty to sixth on the table with 14 points, three clear of Otago and just two points out of the top-four after five rounds.
At the same stage last year, Bay of Plenty had just been walloped by Wellington and had only 10 points but won three of their last four games to finish fifth.
The team host Wellington at Blue Chip Stadium this Saturday and will need to at least emulate last year's finish to make the playoffs for the first time.
Saturday's emphatic win was built solidly upon the the boot of Glen Jackson, brilliance in the backs, superb scavenging from the loose forwards and a valiant effort from the tight five.
Jackson kicked 24 points from six penalties and three conversions, missing just one shot at goal and taking his NPC season tally to 93 points. He also passed 500 points for the union with his sixth penalty 15 minutes after the break.
Just over 5000 people enjoyed the sunshine at Blue Chip Stadium and by the time Jackson had nudged over four penalties and diminutive halfback Ruki Tipuna had sniped over in the corner, Bay of Plenty had established a 17-6 halftime lead.
Tipuna's try came after great runs from second-five Grant McQuoid and wing Anthony Tahana, and ironically came while Otago centre Ryan Nicholas was in the sinbin for a high shot on the halfback.
Tipuna was replaced following his try after injuring his shoulder in that Nicholas tackle.
For a precious few minutes opening the second half, the mistakes haunting Otago's play subsided and they managed some meaningful attack.
However Steamers fullback Adrian Cashmore pulled off a stunning try-saving tackle on Otago wing Neil Brew in the right-hand corner and the only reward for 10 minutes of pressure for the visitors was a try to former Tauranga Boys' College star Ben Smith.
Having had their margin narrowed to just 20-16, the home side struck back impressively when they turned over Otago ball on their own 22, McQuoid broke three feeble tackles and raced clear, flipping a blind pass over his shoulder to a flying Cashmore who beat Brew with a dive into the corner.
Jackson converted and added a quick penalty to give a 14-point buffer, before McQuoid, who had an outstanding match, put it beyond doubt with two excellent tries. The first came when replacement Paul Tupai won a lineout 5m from the Otago line, Jackson doubled around centre Rua Tipoki and fed McQuoid who dived across.
His second came after a great break from flanker Nili Latu, who found Taufa'ao Filise and Tupai in support, Tipoki made another incision and McQuoid scooped up a bobbling ball to score under the posts.
Inspirational Bay of Plenty captain Wayne Ormond also celebrated his 50th game for the union.
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