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Steelers exploit Steamers' rust |
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Written by Jamie Troughton
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Saturday, 15 July 2006 |
BAY of Plenty may have sacrificed a win for the sake of a trial, but don't expect them to be so generous against Hawke's Bay next week.
The Steamers, in their first hit-out of the season, lost to Counties-Manukau 25-20 at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium last night in a pre-season clash.
They played scrappy and the combinations looked decidedly rusty. Thankfully it was an unofficial clash, as the Bay used nine reserves and emptied the bench in the second half when they were tied 20-all.
Coach Andre Bell wasn't gloomy about the loss to the former second-division side - but he doesn't expect it to happen again.
``It was definitely still a trial and we've still got four or five guys to come back,'' Bell said.
``It was the first time together and it was good to give everybody a run. We certainly found out a few things and know what we need to work on.''
Hooker Simon Chisholm was one player to show pleasing form, apart from a couple of wonky lineout throws, while the midfield of Jeff Ierome and Cory Aporo looked sharp. Flanker Warren Smith continues to grow into the long shadow of the departed Wayne Ormond and both first-fives on display - Murray Williams and Mike Delany - sparked at times.
There are still three weeks before the new Air New Zealand Cup starts and it is worth remembering Bay of Plenty's first match of the season in 2004 was a dismal, freezing 11-10 loss to second-division Hawkes Bay in Napier.
The heroics of the season that followed have been well documented and the point is that there were no points up for grabs last night either.
But Bell, who was raised in Hawke's Bay, will do no favours for his former province when he names his team for next Friday's clash at Blue Chip Stadium.
``We need to get momentum and continuity of players and that's probably an ideal time for us to do that. We don't want to hold back until the first game. We'll be trying to put out a near full-strength side.
``It's still three weeks away from the Air New Zealand Cup and I'm sure we'll gain momentum.'' Bay of Plenty need to build on the 30 minutes after halftime, where they camped in Counties' territory and constructed a good Anthony Tahana try, through a clever Williams wiper kick.
They'd made a slow start and were 10-0 down after just seven minutes after an early Blair Feeney penalty and prop Poaloi Taula emerging from under a tangle of players after a solid drive with a grin on his face and five points next to his name. Twenty minutes later, Chiefs wing Lelia Masaga showed plenty of speed, ducking down the blindside and finishing under the posts.
Charles Baxter got one back for the visitors and Tahana's try put them in front for the first time.
But Counties ramped up their game for the last 10 minutes of the match, and were rewarded when busy halfback Ben Meyer's wiper kick fell into the hands of replacement fullback Lance Easton.
Scorers:
Counties Manukau 25 (Lelia Masaga, Lance Easton, Poaloi Taula tries; Blair Feeney 2 pen, 2 con), Bay of Plenty 20 (Charlie Baxter, Anthony Tahana tries; Murray Williams 2 pen, 2 con). Halftime: Counties 17-13.
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