Bay's focus turns to semifinals

By CHRIS RATTUE

Canterbury 33 Bay of Plenty 26

Bay of Plenty are gunning for the first division semifinals after their Ranfurly Shield tenure came to an end at Mt Maunganui.

The Steamers went toe-to-toe with the powerful Canterbury line-up, and almost fashioned a remarkable draw in the final seconds, which would have seen them retain the shield.

But they have taken heart from another outstanding performance against a first division heavyweight.

And while few would rate them as semifinal prospects, they are out to prove they are more than one-hit shield wonders.

Canterbury prevailed in front of a 13,000 crowd at Blue Chip Stadium and should beat NPC lightweights Northland and Southland in their only shield defences this season.

Bay of Plenty's vastly experienced fullback Adrian Cashmore, who was a central figure in a dramatic ending to the match, said the brief shield run had given the Steamers extra experience that would prove invaluable during the rest of the NPC campaign.

"Hopefully the experience will get us through to the semifinals," he said. "My favourite memory has been the support we've created. It's been amazing - kids buying Bay jerseys and seeing them in the street in the Bay colours. I don't think that's ever happened before.

"You can't look back with any disappointment. And the semifinals have been our goal from the start. To win the shield was a bonus.

"We just competed with a side with 13 All Blacks, and some people might say we should have won. We can definitely compete against these sides."

Cashmore chose a long distance grubber kick at the end of the match hoping that Grant McQuoid would win the race to the touchdown.

The Mt Maunganui field, with a clay base around the edge, is hard and the ball can keep bouncing, as it did. Ben Blair won the race, and the shield was gone.

"Passing it went through my mind, or even to carry it ... it's just one of those things," said Cashmore.

This was a classic shield encounter, with both sides launching into tackles from the outset.

Bay of Plenty woke up to bad news yesterday morning, with their key halfback Kevin Senio's ankle injury flaring overnight, leaving the diminutive Ruki Tipuna to take his place. So the odds moved further in Canterbury's favour.

But there was the early promise of an upset, when Anthony Tahana finished off a long-range try, from a Rua Tipoki breakout in the 18th minute.

And although Canterbury battled back, with Bay of Plenty old boy Caleb Ralph touching down, they led only 16-10 at halftime after playing with the wind.

Canterbury were in a mean mood in the second half, with Marshall and his forwards rumbling the ball forward.

Marshall scored in the 45th minute after Sam Broomhall had charged ahead from a scrum. The Steamers struck back, with Glen Jackson scoring from a turnover.

But then Bay of Plenty captain Wayne Ormond gave up a clear penalty try by tackling Johnny Leo'o from an offside position.

Ormond, who celebrated a new two-year Bay contract with a storming game, was fortunate not to have been sinbinned. Referee Paul Honiss told him: "You can thank your lucky stars."

In the end, that vital ingredient - luck - passed the Bay by. They went in to the final 10 minutes 26-33 behind but spent most of the time being denied the ball by Canterbury.

They broke brilliantly from the game's final scrum but Blair was hugged by team-mates after beating McQuoid to the ball.

Steamers prop Simms Davison suffered a suspected cracked sternum and Canterbury's Casey Laulala was knocked unconscious.

NPC fixtures, results and standings

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