Media Release 3 January 2012

Ranfurly Shield holders Taranaki, added the 2012 Bay Engineers Supplies Provincial Sevens rugby prize to their trophy cabinet, when they took out the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Rugby Sevens tournament held at Blake Park Mount Maunganui on Monday (2 January 2012).

Aided by three tries to Whaimotu Craft-Chemis and a double touched down by Waisake Naholo - the Taranaki side proved too strong for Canterbury posting a 40 nil victory. The North Island side were always in control leading 19 nil at the half way stage of the ten minutes each way final.

Honours in the inaugural Women’s Championship were taken out by Auckland, who despatched Wairarapa Bush. Unlike the men’s title decider the women’s final was up for grabs throughout. The eventual winners held a narrow 10-7 advantage at the break, before going on to take out the championship 29-19.

The two Men’s team finalists got to the championship decider in contrasting circumstances. In the first semi-final Canterbury were always in front of Wellington leading 21-5 at the break before going on to take out the encounter 33-12.

While Taranaki led Hawkes Bay 19-7 at the half way stage of the match – a second spell comeback for Hawkes Bay, resulted in the tournament winners just getting home 24-21. Earlier in the day, Canterbury had ended the aspirations of defending champions Bay of Plenty, defeating the home side 19-5.

The two women’s teams that contested the championship final both had comfortable semi-final victories. Auckland brushed aside the challenge from Waikato 21-5, with Wairarapa Bush getting past visiting Chinese side Shandong A 33-12.

The Consolation Final was take out by Waikato who defeated Counties Manukau 21-10, while the North Island invitation team beat Manawatu 21-12 to win the Plate competition.

2012 Bay Engineers Supplies Provincial Sevens Teams @ Blake Park Mount Maunganui – 2 January 2012
Championship Final
Taranaki 40 (Whaimotu Craft-Chemis 3, Waisake Naholo 2, Seta Tamanivula tries; Brett Goodin 4 cons, Daniel Brooks con) Canterbury 0. Halftime: 19-0.

Championship Semi-Finals: Canterbury 33 Wellington 12, Taranaki 24 Hawkes Bay 21.
Consolation Final: Waikato 21 Counties Manukau 10.
Plate Final: North Island Invitation 21 Manawatu 12.

Women Championship Final
Auckland 29 (Marama Davis 2, Tyla Nathan-Wong, Trish Hina, Renee Wickliffe tries; Hazel Tubic 2 cons) Wairarapa Bush 19 (Amy Turner, Rebecca Mahoney, Laura Gavin tries; Mahoney 2 cons). Halftime: 10-7 Auckland.

Championship Semi-Finals: Auckland 21 Waikato 5, Wairarapa Bush 33 Shandong A 12.

For Further Information Contact
Neil Alton BOPRU Operations Manager 021 570 911