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Win lifts Steamers off floor |
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Written by Craig Tiriana
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Monday, 03 September 2007 |
IF Bay of Plenty turned the corner the previous week against Otago, they drove Tasman around the bend on Saturday, ditching their Air New Zealand Cup five-game losing streak 33-26 at Landsdowne Park.
It was a sensational turnaround, the Steamers played with pace and purpose, deserving the maximum competition points.
The win was much needed and not only injects confidence into the inexperienced Steamers camp but also gives them a chance to stay alive in the hunt for one of the eight playoff spots.
They took hold of the game during an impressive first 40 minutes playing into a strong wind which howled down the ground.
A simple physical approach by the Bay forwards set the tone as the loosies hunted and the tight forwards smashed into their work.
Coach Kevin Schuler said it was a victory paved up front. ``I was very happy with the way the forwards got on top of them. The tries really did come from that forward pressure,'' Schuler said.
Prop Simms Davison, the most experienced Steamer with more than 100 first class games, believes the side is capable of kicking on.
``This is good for the young guys. We've got a win under our belts. Hopefully they'll take a lot from that, we were getting a bit worried the young guys were getting used to losing.
``There's nothing like a good win to change the focus.''
Tasman couldn't compete with the Steamers at scrum, ruck and maul time and the backs, with Lance MacDonald and Charles Baxter scoring all four tries, took advantage of the front foot possession.
MacDonald was at his scampering best at fullback.
After three consecutive impressive outings the New Zealand colt must now be figuring in Super 14 possibilities for next year.
His hat-trick of tries, two in the second spell, was the first for Bay of Plenty since 2001 when Baxter grabbed a triple to help stave off Hawke's Bay and relegation. His triple was a fitting effort to celebrate the former New Zealand sevens representative's blazer-earning 15th outing, which Jamie Nutbrown, Rena Schuster and Aidan Kuka also reached.
Bay led 12-6 at halftime and ran away to a 30-12 lead by the 60-minute mark.
Colin Bourke showcased his freakish talents. The No6, who stood in at centre last week, took over the goalkicking from an injured Mike Delany and stroked three telling penalties and a conversion.
Bourke's only miss came in the first half when his 35-metre penalty attempt crashed off the right-hand upright.
Delany relinquished the kicking after one miss but stayed on the field, making the break that led to MacDonald's third try, until the result was safe and a much-needed five competition points were in the bank.
While the win is welcomed there is still plenty of work to do.
The Bay lineout was shaky to start, the first two were knocked on by the jumpers and the next three were lost but improved as the game went on.
There are also some more injury concerns.
Baxter succumbed to a calf injury and captain Ben Castle hurt his foot but is expected to play this Friday against Taranaki in New Plymouth.
Tasman didn't get a chance to play their free-flowing style against the Bay.
They were restricted to just four penalty goals but scored two tries during the last six minutes to grab a flattering bonus point.
The loss puts a big dent in Tasman's playoff aspirations.
They slipped to 11th spot and have a tough finish against Waikato, Auckland, Canterbury and Otago.
Bay has Taranaki, Southland, North Harbour and Wellington, all teams above them, which they could leapfrog with wins.
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