News

Bay of Plenty sink Otago

Friday 05th September 2008

Perfect send-off: Jamie Nutbrown

Bay of Plenty held on to score a 31-20 win over Otago in their Air New Zealand Cup match at Mount Maunganui on Friday.

The Steamers led 24-0 at half-time and weathered a second half Otago revival to gain their fifth win in six matches.

But Otago reinvented themselves during the half-time break and immediately made inroads into the deficit when tries to Tom Donnelly and skipper Craig Newby plus fine goal-kicking from Chris Noakes saw them trail just 20-24 with 17 minutes remaining.

Fly-half Mike Delany then crossed for his team's bonus-point fourth try and added the sideline conversion for good measure to give Bay of Plenty breathing space.

Playing his final match on these shores before joining Welsh club the Ospreys, Jamie Nutbrown was a busy man behind a hard working though under-rated forward pack.

He even managed to scored a try in his farewelll match three minutes before half-time after Delany made the initial incision inside his own half before offloading to number eight Colin Bourke.

Bourke calmly drew the last defender and passed to Nutbrown, who gave Delany a simple conversion from in front of the posts.

Nutbrown's effort complemented earlier tries to flanker Tanerau Latimer, who showed good strength to force his way over in the corner, and lock Culum Retallick, who powered his way over the line when Bay of Plenty quickly ran a free kick inside the Otago 22.

Otago burst to life after the resumption as they scored two converted tries within eight minutes of the restart.

Lock Donnelly crossed after two thrusts by scrum-half Toby Morland opened up the Bay of Plenty defence, then the home side were caught a man short on the blindside from a ruck as Newby scored without a hand being laid on him.

Otago's resurgence continued when Noakes slammed over a 55 metre penalty in the 56th minute and another from closer range seven minutes later.

With Bay of Plenty now ahead just 24-20, the outcome hung in the balance until Delany squeezed through a gap then slid across the tryline after patient preparatory work by his forwards.

Otago attacked desperately in the final minutes but there was no way through a tired but dedicated defence.

The scorers:

Bay of Plenty:
Tries: Latimer, Retallick, Nutbrown, Delany
Cons: Delany 4
Pens: Delany

Otago:
Tries: Donnelly, Newby
Cons: Noakes 2
Pens: Noakes 2