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Written by Craig Tiriana
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Friday, 01 August 2008 |
Mission impossible? Mission accomplished.
That's how the Bay of Plenty Steamers were feeling as they floated victoriously off Blenheim's saturated Lansdowne Rd last night with four Air New Zealand Cup points safely in the bag.
Kevin Schuler's side had endured a 30-hour travelling time thanks to Wednesday's foul weather and a broken-down bus. And if that wasn't enough, they then had to overcome the Tasman Makos, who led 7-0 after 31 minutes on their own water-logged territory.
The Steamers got home in the end 8-7. Hooker John Pareanga scored following a lineout drive late in the first half and Mike Delany drilled a handy 25m penalty goal with six minutes to play, which allowed the Steamers to defend the game out.
Captain Jamie Nutbrown was impressed with the spirit shown as the Steamers basically weathered it all and played some decent football in atrocious conditions.
``It was a funny old feeling coming down here,'' confessed a mud-
caked Nutbrown.
``Are we going to play? Aren't we going to play? All that sort of carry-on. ``Then to go out and get behind and to get back straight away - it just showed the character of this team.''
This was a game which got close to not happening. Tasman - who had fancied a disorganised and disorientated prey in the offing - probably now wish it didn't.
The Bay can bask in it. It was their third straight win in Blenheim and fourth as a team this year.
With all the off-field distractions in the Bay of Plenty Union, and the executioner's axe hanging over some teams for future competitions, this was a night when the 2008 Steamers showed - like they have pre-season - that they have the power to overcome adversity.
Last night they showed patience on the field and made few errors in the second half, when they had more control through the kicking games of Nutbrown, five-eighths Mike Delany and Kelly Haimona and No 8 Colin Bourke.
The Bay trailed 7-5 at halftime, but showed intent early in the second spell with Lance MacDonald, going within a metre of scoring. The Bay set piece was sound and the loose forwards did well around the fringes.
Scorers:
Bay of Plenty Steamers 8 (John Pareanga try; Mike Delany pen) Tasman Makos 7 (Mark Bright try; Miah Nikora con) HT 5-7 Makos
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