Former All Blacks flanker Frank Shelford scored one of the Bay's tries, with Te Puke flyer John Cameron crossing for two.
"We had come through another season of rebuilding, after some of our most celebrated players, including guys like Greg Rowlands and Graeme Moore, had retired," Crossman said.
"So with a young team I was concerned how our game and our performance would measure up against a team coming through from division two.
"Our pre-game type of preparations included having lunch at the Willow Park Hotel and then getting across to the game.
"Everything was in our favour and with a home crowd advantage, the game ended up with us being much better than Taranaki. .
"We had spent a year slugging it out in division one, so for us the benefit of having those sort of games against that sort of opposition proved too much on the day, much to all our relief.
"So on a couple of occasions that is how we survived and managed to stay up in division one during the five years I was the coach.
"I used to call ourselves consistently inconsistent and that is what made us an interesting team.
"We could turn it on with tremendous results. We didn't win the competition or win a Ranfurly Shield but staying up in division one was quite a prize and I am not so sure we would have done it anywhere else other than the Domain.
"The setting was great. There was quite a close crowd, because once they put the people in they were standing right on the sideline. It was quite an intimate ground in an environment, right in the centre of town. You were completely enveloped, if you like, and kind of embraced by the town physically."
-Tomorrow: Bay of Plenty take on Nelson Bays in 2000 for promotion to division one.
U16 selectors set standards high
A thorough process is behind the naming of the 2015 Bay of Plenty under-16 squad.
Player development manager Kyle McLean says the process has involved players being viewed in school games, a July holiday development camp and trial, wider squad trainings and a final trial last week.
"The selected players can be very proud as it is the first time they earn the right to put on a Bay jersey [apart from Roller Mills]. This is, however, a small snapshot in a player's rugby career, so the challenge for them [and non-selected players] is to keep working hard and look to improve their game," he said.
McLean is thrilled to have the services of Grant McQuoid and Dan Quate coaching the team.
"To have Grant [ex-Steamers and Chiefs] and Dan [ex-Highlanders and Japanese International] leading this group is just outstanding. They both have a wealth of knowledge through their playing career and have both more recently moved into coaching."
McQuoid is excited to be leading the Bay of Plenty under-16 team.
"We've got a really strong squad, with quite good depth. I'm really impressed with their attitude and willingness to learn about the structures we are trying to implement. They are very respectful boys and are keen to learn," he said.
"We are looking to win matches, but also teach these boys how to play as a team and units, attack space and work for each other. I'm keen to help pull a group of players together and achieve special things. It's very rewarding."
Bay of Plenty U16 team: Mafi Fafita (Katikati College), Brad Coulson, Guillaume Martell, Kaipo Brown, Kaleb Trask, Shane Peato, Tarawhiti Tarei (Rotorua Boys' High School). Alex Mankelow, Carlos Levao, Connor McLeod, Dion Keogh, Flynn Kelly, Gordie Lloyd, Harry O'Dea, Josh De Koster, Kyle Hamilton, Peter Seeling, Royce Wihapi, Shi Ji Yong (Tauranga Boys' College). Jaevyn Mohi, James Nolan, Te Taawhi Takuira-Mita, Toom Taninga (Te Puke High School). Ronin Ainsley (Te Wharekura O Mauao). Flynn Butler, Te Huia Kutia (Trident High School). Brodie Woods, Damel Taui, Liam Preston (Western Heights School).
