Steelers edge basement battle

Counties Manukau claimed the basement battle spoils as they came from behind to defeat Air New Zealand Cup rivals Manawatu 27-14 at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Counties Manukau claimed the basement battle spoils as they came from behind to defeat Air NZ Cup rivals Manawatu 27-14 at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Both sides were without a win since shocking Auckland and Canterbury in the first round. And it was the Turbos who raced into an early 14-0 lead before the hosts responded with a barrage of points from then on.

Visiting centre Tomasi Cama almost broke the deadlock on four minutes but for dropping the ball, but the opening score was not far behind.

A period of sustained pressure on the Steelers line saw a clever offload from Andre Taylor allow fly-half Isaac Thompson to cross under the uprights.

In a contest played under perfect weather conditions, regular errors marred the first quarter as both teams turned over the ball too often. But Manawatu made the scrappy period count for them as wing Lote Raikabula pounced on a poor clearance to extend the lead on 24 minutes.

That seemed to spur Counties into life as they began to gather some much-needed momentum with Simon Lemalu going close. And on 34 minutes full-back Koiatu Koiatu finally made the pressure tell as he was quickest to react to the loose ball in-goal to half the deficit on the hooter.

The Steelers continued from where they left off on their return after another Turbos mistake, this time from replacement Matty James, saw Koiatu cross in the corner for his second.

Errors failed to abate in the second forty, which once again led to a home opportunity that captain Tasesa Lavea made count as he powered over to complete the comeback – Counties looking strong at 17-14.

And the vital try bonus point soon followed as Lelia Masaga's break was finished off on the opposite touchline by centre Siale Piutau as the celebrations began.

Replacement Tanner Vili successfully converted before Lavea added gloss to what was dubbed the wooden spoon battle with a well-taken drop-goal close to the final whistle.

The scorers:

For Counties:
Tries: Koiatu 2, Lavea, Piutau
Cons: Cummins, Vili
Drops: Lavea

For Manawatu:
Tries: Thompson, Raikabula
Cons: Thompson 2

Counties Manukau: 15 Koiatu Koiatu, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Dean Cummins, 11 Sherwin Stowers, 10 Tasesa Lavea (c), 9 Samisoni Fisilau, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 DJ Forbes, 6 Rupeni Nasiga, 5 Andrew Van der Heijden, 4 Jamie Chipman, 3 Tuaefe Palelei, 2 Lance Po-Ching, 1 Simon Lemalu.
Replacements: 16 Ilaisa Maasi, 17 Kojak Faioso, 18 Viliame Fihaki or Gary Saifoloi, 19 Mark Selwyn, 20 Kevin Farrell, 21 Romi Ropati or Tanner Vili or Jason Roache, 22 Ropati or Vili or Roache.

Manawatu: 15 Kurt Baker, 14 Andre Taylor, 13 Junior Tomasi Cama, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Lote Raikabula, 10 Isaac Thompson, 9 Aaron Good, 8 Hamish Gosling, 7 Josh Bradnock or Doug Tietjens, 6 Nick Crosswell, 5 James Goode, 4 Hayden Triggs, 3 David Te Moana, 2 Sean O'Connor, 1 Grant Polson.
Replacements: 16 Rob Foreman, 17 Ma'afu Fia, 18 Paul Rodgers, 19 Tietjens or Mitchell Crosswell, 20 Matty James, 21 Aaron James, 22 Francisco Bosch.

Referee: Kane McBride