Bay of Plenty Steamers player Joe Royal charges up the field against Taranaki at the Rotorua International Stadium tonight Photo/Ben Fraser
Bay of Plenty Steamers player Joe Royal charges up the field against Taranaki at the Rotorua International Stadium tonight Photo/Ben Fraser
The benchmark was set a touch too high for the Bay of Plenty Steamers who lost to reigning ITM Cup champions Taranaki 32-9 in Rotorua tonight
The Steamers were chasing their fourth win of the season at the Rotorua International Stadium but could not keep up with Taranaki who turned on a fine second half performance.
The Steamers, who were missing some of their first team players, will need to make some big improvements this week if they are to challenge Hawke's Bay next weekend in their Ranfurly Shield match.
The home team put the first points on the board when Dan Hollinshead kicked a penalty on seven minutes.
The two sides then traded penalties before Taranaki almost scored the opener.
The visitors went over for what looked to be a tidy team try but were found to have knocked the ball on by the TMO.
The Steamers enjoyed a lop-sided penalty count for the remainder of the first half which gave them plenty of good field position. Taranaki's ill-discipline compounded on 30 minutes when flanker Mitchell Crosswell was shown a yellow card for throwing a punch.
Taranaki get dished out a yellow card during the first half Photo/Ben Fraser
The Steamers failed to make the most of the golden opportunity though.
Against the run of play, Taranaki almost scored one of the tries of the season going 95m, but they were again foiled by the TMO who found a knock on. The match stayed at 6-3 in favour of the Steamers at half-time.
Image 1 of 17: Bay of Plenty Steamers player Joe Royal with the ball Photo/Ben Fraser
Whatever was said at the break seemed to work for Taranaki who scored a quick try in the second spell, with Verny Hall crashing over off the back of the ruck.
The Steamers re-took the lead with a penalty close to the sticks but that was the last time they would be in that position. Taranaki had an opportunity to kick a penalty shortly after but chose instead to kick for touch.
They were rewarded for the decision, scoring a cracking try from a lineout drive, finished off by no.8 Toa Halafihi.
Bay of Plenty Steamers player Te Rangi Fraser is tackled by a Taranaki player Photo/Ben Fraser
Taranaki had their tails up after that try and classy fullback Kurt Baker sliced through the line and scored under the posts. Imposing Taranaki centre Seta Tamanivalu secured the bonus point for the visitors when he ran a nice line and found a hole close to the try line scoring his team's fourth try.
The All Blacks Sevens defeated Australia 31-12 in the curtain raiser with Rotorua schoolboy Isaac Te Aute playing the second half, not looking out of place for Gordon Tietjens men.
Bay of Plenty Steamers 9 (Dan Hollinshead 3 pen) Taranaki 32 (Berny Hall, Toa Halafihi, Kurt Baker, Seta Tamanivalu tries; Cody Rei 3 con, 2 pen)
