BoP steal win from Steelers

Editor

Bay of Plenty pipped Counties Manukau 24-21 at the death thanks to Mike Delany try deep into stoppage time that handed his team a thrilling ITM Cup win.

Bay of Plenty pipped Counties Manukau 24-21 at the death thanks to Mike Delany try deep into stoppage time that handed his team a thrilling ITM Cup win in Mt Maunganui on Sunday.

Counties were clinging on to a 21-17 lead before Delany crossed for a try with time up on the clock. Tanerau Latimer then kicked the conversion for Bay of Plenty to cap his 50th match for the province.

Former Auckland scrum-half Taniela Moa and former Steelers winger Lelia Masaga also dotted down for Bay of Plenty, while Taiasina Tuifua and Siale Piutau scored tries for Counties.

The result lifts Bay of Plenty to eighth on the table, above Counties, who slip to ninth.

The scorers:

Bay of Plenty:
Tries: Masaga, Moa, DelanyCons: Delany 2, Latimer
Pen: Delany

Counties Manukau:
Tries: Tuifua, Piutau
Con: Nanai Williams
Pens: Nanai Williams 3

Bay of Plenty: 15 Toby Arnold, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Brett Mather, 12 Grant McQuoid, 11 Jason Hona, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Chad Tuoro, 8 Colin Bourke (c), 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Luke Braid, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Aiden Kuka, 3 Tristan Moran, 2 John Pareanga, 1 Joe Savage.
Replacements: 16 Simon Chisholm, 17 Josh Hohneck, 18 Luke Katene, 19 Luke Andrews, 20 Taniela Moa, 21 Daniel Waenga, 22 Ben W Smith.

Counties-Manukau: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Ahsee Tuala, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Reynold Lee-Lo, 11 Sherwin Stowers, 10 James Semple, 9 Samisoni Fisilau, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Mark Selwyn, 6 DJ Forbes, 5 Jamie Chipman (c), 4 Ronald Raaymakers, 3 Jono Owen, 2 Grant Henson/Mark Price, 1 Simon Lemalu.
Replacements: 16 Price or Ilaisa Maasi, 17 Graham Dewes, 18 Taiasina Tuifua, 19 Waka Setitaia, 20 August Pulu, 21 Hadley Jackson, 22 David Raikuna.

Referee: Matthew Stanish