Bay splutter into Premiership

Bay of Plenty will play in next year's Mitre 10 Cup rugby Premiership after a scrappy 12-7 win over Hawke's Bay in the Championship final at Rotorua International Stadium last night. The Steamers will replace the demoted Counties Manukau in next season's Premiership. The stuttering and frustrating final was a far cry from Bay of Plenty's 51-24 victory over Hawke's Bay in Tauranga last month. Hawke’s Bay were on the wrong end of a lopsided penalty count and struggled to wear down the Steamers’ defence.

Bay of Plenty 12 (Dan Hollinshead 4 pens) Hawke's Bay 7 (Jonah Lowe try, Tiaan Falcon 1 con). HT: 6-0.