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Injury-hit Bay run out of steam |
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Written by Craig Tiriana
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Wednesday, 12 September 2007 |
A SLOW-moving Mike Delany said it all without uttering a word.
The Bay of Plenty Steamers No 10 shuffled away from last night's Air New Zealand Cup game against Taranaki, bruised (seemingly everywhere), bandaged (both ankles), cut (left eye) and limping (groin).
``It's the story of my life, we're a bit beaten at the moment,'' he said, slumped against the concrete wall beneath Yarrow Stadium.
Bay of Plenty lost the game 36-19, the win well deserved by the home side which ran in five tries to two and threatened many more, which Taranaki may have got on another occasion. However, they weren't going to get them last night with the Steamers' last line of defence - with Cory Aporo and Delany outstanding - snuffing out at least four.
``It was a bit of desperation, the boys' hearts are in it, it's just a matter of putting in an 80-minute performance,'' Delany said.
The loss continued the Bay's dreary run in New Plymouth, with the last success coming back in 1995 when they were both in second division.
Last night was never in doubt, although the Bay drew to 24-12 midway through the second spell.
The Bay's top-eight playoff hopes are now gone with three games remaining. It's not for want of trying - it's just the playing stock is see-through thin.
When they beat Tasman a week ago they had the same backline which performed well the week before against Otago.
It was a luxury they didn't have this week, with Delany needing treatment for his nagging pubis injury.
Both Lance MacDonald and Charles Baxter, stars against Tasman, limped out of contention pre-game; their places were taken by Aporo and Toby Arnold, while Hayden Baird made the reserves and his debut.
Aporo, normally a centre, went to fullback while Arnold, who scored his first try for the Bay at NPC level, went to the wing for his third cap.
Rena Schuster, Paula Asaeli and Wayne Hughson all played in positions they weren't considered for seven weeks ago.
Chuck raw frontrowers Wade Pereira and Matt Wallis into the onfield mix and what's available is anything but the region's No1 combination.
Delany said the injuries have been disruptive and affected their play last night. But it wasn't an excuse.
``In a sense the boys have been standing up and sort of having a crack. I think if it was a different year I don't think they'd get a chance.''
The Steamers' backline looked promising in the off-season but through injury it has simply been reduced to an inexperienced and out of position bunch, aside from Delany and halfback Jamie Nutbrown.
As a consequence the Steamers' backs were exposed by their more experienced Taranaki opposites. Winger Paul Perez terrorised the left-hand flank.
The former Samoan sevens player scored two tries and made plenty of space for others as he took advantage of Hughson's penchant to rush up in the hope of shutting down the flyer early.
Bay came close to scoring in the 57th minute when Nutbrown stretched over from a ruck but was deemed to have knocked on.
However, they maintained constant pressure on Taranaki, camping in their 22 for a long period before finally breaking down the defence when they moved the ball left and Arnold scored.
Bay of Plenty suddenly found second gear and Delany cut through a big gap after a lineout for a fine try under the uprights, allowing himself an easy conversion.
With two minutes on the clock Schuster crossed for Bay's third try.
But their bubble burst when Mark Stewart raced clear for Taranaki's fifth try.
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