Media Release - 26 October 2009

In spite of scoring four first half tries, the Bay of Plenty Steamers posted a loss in their last Air New Zealand Cup game of the season, against Taranaki on Sunday (25 October 2009) afternoon.

The first half belonged to the Steamers, who ran in four tries to lead 24-6 at Baypark Stadium. The first touchdown was a 70 metre run by Jason Hona, who grabbed the ball and took off to score. John Moore will never forget the Taranki encounter when he grabbed the second Steamers touchdown (and his first Air New Zealand Cup try) after a run by Zac Hohneck

Zar Lawrence ran in the third Steamers touchdown, with Jason Hona grabbing his second try just before the break.

A refocused Taranki team made their intentions clear immediately after the second half had commenced. Two tries in the first six minutes narrowed the Steamers lead to just four points, before a further visitors penalty made it a one-point ball game.

While the Steamers made several of attacking moves, they came to nothing as the Taranaki defence held firm. With the clock ticking down Taranaki missed a penalty attempt - before further pressure resulted in their third converted try to lead 30-24.

A final Steamers charge on the line in the dying seconds of the match, resulted in the referee saying that the ball was held up - with the match finishing with a six point victory to the visitors.

While the Steamers had a grand first spell – they simply had no answers to the fired up Taranaki side, who scored 24 unanswered points in the second half.

However the Steamers signed off their season with seven victories, and a solid seventh place in the fourteen team Air New Zealand Cup competition. In a season where the Steamers punched above their weight throughout the Air New Zealand Cup, a top half finish was a good result.

Result

Taranaki 30 BOP Steamers (Jason Hona 2, John Moore, Zar Lawrence tries; Colin Bourke 2 con)

For further information contact:
Paul Feeney Steamers Manager
07 574 2037 029 478 4296