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Steamers repel Mooloo challenge |
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Written by Jamie Troughton
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Monday, 23 August 2004 |
THERE wasn't the unrestrained jubilation of last week - Bay of Plenty's changing room after their 26-20 win over Waikato yesterday had the unmistakable weight of relief in it.
That's the reality of holding provincial rugby's greatest prize, the Ranfurly Shield.
Bruised, battered and exhausted after a huge week and torrid game yesterday, Bay of Plenty put the trophy away for a fortnight and can now look forward to a relatively hype-free Air New Zealand NPC showdown with Taranaki.
It's a game that suddenly has huge ramifications, with Taranaki taking an unlikely lead after two games of the competition and Bay of Plenty just a point back in second. The Steamers have now snatched the scalps of two Super 12 franchise bases, won and defended the Ranfurly Shield and captured the public's imagination all in the space of two weeks.
Shield fever has gripped the province - after an inspirational Shield parade through Tauranga on Saturday, 17,600 people packed into Blue Chip Stadium for the historic first defence.
In the thick of a supreme forward effort yesterday, prop Ben Castle said he hoped the win sent a strong message to the other nine teams in the first division.
``It was important today that we had a good game, especially against Waikato, being our Chiefs counterparts,'' Castle said. ``But hopefully the country does take notice of what we're doing up here. It's good - not only do teams recognise how we play but also referees. That's a big thing. ``Now referees aren't thinking we're a second-rate team and we're the team that's causing all the penalties.
``They're looking at us and realising we're a good side and they're a bit more down the middle,'' Castle said.
Ironically referee Steve Walsh decided Castle's play wasn't quite down the middle with seven minutes left, sending him to the sinbin for collapsing a Waikato maul. It left Bay of Plenty battling with 14 men holding out a desperate opposition but the lead they'd established was too big to pull back.
Castle admitted he was nervous sitting on the sideline as the minutes ticked down.
``He'd warned us a couple of times for pulling down the maul but it's a tough call. In the end it bought a bit of time which was fairly critical.''
First-five Glen Jackson kicked another 16 points and flanker Nili Latu continued his brilliant, gung-ho form in completely outplaying his Chiefs opposite Scott Couch.
Centre Rua Tipoki again set up both Steamers tries and constantly probed the Waikato defence.
Jackson and David Hill traded early penalties before Tipoki nudged a perfect grubber kick into the Waikato in-goal.
Hill slipped in turning and Bay of Plenty wing Anthony Tahana dived on the ball inches before it went dead.
Just 10 minutes later, the Steamers forwards turned over a Waikato drive and Tipoki flicked a Jeff Ierome pass on to fullback Adrian Cashmore, who split Waikato's defence and carried over two tacklers after a 30m gallop.
The resulting 20-3 halftime lead owed much to the forwards who supplied a constant stream of ball and a Waikato backline determined to turn it over.
Waikato's comeback with the wind began just seven minutes into the second spell when captain and No 8 Steven Bates scored in the corner, after three consecutive penalties had the visitors camped 5m out.
Waikato missed another golden opportunity when Keith Lowen knocked on with free players outside him but the tide was slowly turning their way.
With 20 minutes left came the turning point however.
Another promising Waikato attacking foray was poached by Jackson on halfway and the diminutive pivot raced down the sideline.
He was reeled in by Waikato halfback Isaac Boss but Bates was sinbinned for a professional foul after intercepting from an offside position.
Bates conceded it was a crucial mistake.
``When I got sent off it was a crucial time in the game and I'd be quite interested to see just how offside I actually was,'' Bates said.
``It was a big call to send me off.''
Jackson nailed that penalty and a further one as they led 26-13 with seven minutes left.
Waikato capitalised on Castle's absence when prop David Briggs was driven over for a dubious try to make the score 26-20 but Bay of Plenty's defence wasn't breached again.
Apoua Stewart made a brilliant spot tackle on Waikato flyer Sosene Anesi and Tahana made a similar one on Chiefs wing Sitiveni Sivivatu.
Unlike last week at Eden Park, the crowd got to share the moment with the players at the final whistle, rushing on with undiluted excitement.
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