An extra special victory
Winning comfortably been Wellington’s style.
No, after 17 years without a provincial rugby title, it was almost appropriate that they made everyone sweat. But, finally, after 100 minutes of rugby, the Lions were able to see Bay of Plenty off 59-45 and secure safe passage to next year’s national provincial premiership.
They made it unbelievably hard on themselves and the Steamers deserve great credit for making last night’s championship final at Westpac Stadium such a wonderful occasion. But, in the end, after extra time, Wellington were able to get themselves back to provincial rugby’s top table after three years in exile. Not without one or two scares. The first spell wasn’t dissimilar to Wellington’s semifinal against Northland, with the visitors going two tries up early doors. Halfback Luke Campbell and then wing Joe Webber, in brilliant fashion, gave the Bay an early 14-5 lead. Wellington’s response had come through second five-eighth Thomas UmagaJensen.
The Steamers were opting to kick a lot. Wellington sometimes returned serve – and not always well – but began to look better the more they ran the ball back.
Lock Sam Lousi won a terrific ruck turnover, then ran in for Wellington’s second try, before prop Tolu Fahamokioa finished off a break made by flanker Mateaki Kafatolu. The Lions were still doing some sloppy stuff, but there were still enough good moments thrown in to enable them to go to halftime 20-14 up.
Lions captain Brad Shields was in the action from the restart, charging down a Mike Delany kick down and scoring to put the hosts 25-14 up.
The Steamers needed to turn the tide and Jackson Garden-Bachop did that for them, throwing a flat ball on his 22 that No 8 Tyler Arron gobbled up and ran in under the bar. Delany’s conversion made it 28-21 with 30 minutes to play and a game that appeared to be going in favour wouldn’t have