BOP give semi hopes big boost
BAY of Plenty have given their semifinal hopes a huge shot in the arm with a bonus-point win over Otago in Dunedin.
The Steamers surged home in the final 20 minutes to win 36-28 and jump into the top four on 23 points, with one match left.
They can secure their pace in the finals with victory over Waikato next week, while Otago face a must-win game against lastplaced Southland at home.
Otago led 15-13 at the break after a back-and-forth opening 40 minutes. The home team started and finished the half strongly, controlling possession through hard and direct running while stretching the defence with an expansive game plan.
Fullback Fletcher Smith crossed from close range to open the scoring courtesy of a superb inside ball from Jono Ruru.
First-five Josh Ioane also produced an equally impressive cutout pass to set up winger Jona Nareki in the corner after he was denied minutes earlier by the TMO.
But sandwiched between those two tries were plenty of scrappy moments. And Chase Tiatia made them pay through two classy pieces of play.
First the Bay of Plenty fullback left his defender for dead with some dazzling footwork before offloading to Hugh Blake.
After an Otago mistake from the restart, he then caught the defence napping behind the ruck for Terrence Hepetema to score.
Mistakes were a common feature from both teams in a tight third quarter that saw the Steamers snatch a one-point heading into the final 20 minutes thanks to two Mike Delany penalties.
Then came the crucial period of play. Otago bombed a golden chance to take control when Ruru put Josh Dickson through a gap, only for the lock’s flick pass to be far too hard for Slade McDowall, who only had to fall over the line.
Bay of Plenty then responded with two tries in five minutes, Joe Webber swooping on a kick after Delany found Otago short at the back before Tiatia capped an impressive display, beating three players on his way to the tryline.
A Matt Faddes try with six minutes to go made for a nervous finish but replacement halfback Luke Campbell sealed the result when he snuck over beside the posts.