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Full Steamers ahead
Bay of Plenty notched the first big win of the Air New Zealand Cup on Saturday, scoring a seven-try 45-3 win over Counties Manukau on Saturday in Rotorua.
Counties, who stunned Auckland last week, were a shadow of themselves, and rolled over under intense forward pressure from the Steamers.
Two of New Zealand's Sevens side, full-back Zar Lawrence and centre Nigel Hunt, enjoyed free reign in the midfield once the floodgates had opened after 20 minutes.
Hooker John Pareanga opened the scoring after a break by wing Lance MacDonald, and from the restart there was nearly a second when the clearance kick was charged down, but number eight Colin Bourke had the ball knocked form his grasp.
That set up a 5m scrum, and Bourke made amends, charging over on the blind side.
Bourke scored his second three mintues from the break, with fly-half Mike Delany creating the space for first lock Culum Retallick and then Bourke to charge through.
Delany also added the conversion to go with his two earlier penalties, while Fly-half Dean Cummins pulled three points back for Counties for a 23-3 half-time scoreline.
Two minutes after the break it was left wing Jason Hona who crossed for the bonus point try after an impressive build-up by the Steamers.
Lawrence scored two tries from chips ahead, the first from a fortuitous bounce, the second a superb piece of individual skill.
Then flanker and captain Tanerau Latimer who scored the final try after some fine lead-up work by Hunt andscrum-half Jamie Nutbrown which allowed Latimer to run back against the flow to score.
The scorers:
For Bay of Plenty:
Tries: Bourke 2, Pareanga, Hona, Lawrence 2, Latimer
Cons: Delany, Haimona
Pens: Delany 2
For Counties Manukau:
Pen: Cummins
Bay of Plenty: 15 Zar Lawrence, 14 Lance MacDonald, 13 Cory Aporo, 12 Nigel Hunt, 11 Jason Hona, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer (c), 6 Solomon King, 5 Culum Rettalick, 4 John Moore, 3 James McGougan, 2 John Paerenga, 1 Joe Savage. Replacements: 16 Dean Elmiger, 17 Arden David-Perrot, 18 Aiden Kuka, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Kelly Haimona, 21 Paula Asaeli, 22 Toby Arnold.
Counties Manukau: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Romi Ropati, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Dean Cummins, 9 Kevin Farrell, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Haani Halaeua, 6 DJ Forbes, 5 Andrew Van der Heijden, 4 Dave Duley (c), 3 Jayden Murch, 2 Lance Po-ching, 1 Simon Lemalu.
Replacements: 16 Cody Martin, 17 Robert Katu, 18 Jamie Chipman, 19 Gary Saifoloi, 20 Samisoni Fisilau, 21 Tanner Vili, 22 David Raikuna.
Referee: Brent Murray
TMO: Bryce Lawrence
