Southland hold off Bay of Plenty

Editor

Bay of Plenty remain rooted to the bottom of the ITM Cup table after going down 33-25 to Southland at Mount Maunganui on Wednesday.

Bay of Plenty remain rooted to the bottom of the ITM Cup table after suffering a 33-25 loss to Southland at Mount Maunganui on Wednesday.

Southland were trailing by 12 points with 20 minutes left in the match, but tries from Elliot Dixon and Marty McKenzie, in the 65th and 68th minute respectively, secured them a remarkable comeback victory.

Earlier, accurate goal-kicking from Bay of Plenty captain Willie Ripia and a Kimami Sitauti try gave the Steamers a deserved 19-13 lead at the break.

Ripia succeeded with four penalties and a conversion during that period but they were made to battle as Southland took the lead in the 27th minute through a try from hooker Talemaitoga Tuapati.

Southland scrum-half Scott Eade was the Championship side's hero, contributing 18 points, via four penalties and three conversions.

The Steamers' only points in the second half came via two penalties from Ripia.

The scorers:

For Bay of Plenty:
Try: Sitauti
Con: Ripia
Pens: Ripia 6

For Southland:
Tries: Tuapati, Dixon, McKenzie
Cons: Eade 3
Pens: Eade 4

Bay of Plenty: 15 Steve Honey. 14 Dave Thomas, 13 Kenny Lynn, 12 Nick Evemy, 11 Kimami Sitauti, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Samisoni Fisilau, 8 Carl Axtens, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Joe Tupe, 5 Tim Bond, 4Johan Bardoul, 3 Pingi Tala'apitaga, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Albert Anae.
Replacements: 16 Joe Royal, 17 ane Harris, 18 Josh Sole, 19. Kieran Black, 20. Toma TeAihe, 21. Tino Nemani, 22. Elliott Hagen.

Southland: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Bryan Milne, 13 Willis Halaholo, 12 Calvary Fonoti, 11 Gareth Williams-Spiers, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Scott Eade, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 John Hardie, 6 Naulia Dawai, 5 Hale T-Pole, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Juan Koen, 2 Talemaitoga Tuapati, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 David Hall, 17 Nick Barrett, 18 Michael Fatialofa, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Tayler Adams, 21 Cardiff Vaega, 22 Tim Cornforth.