ITM Cup: Bay of Plenty get the job done over North Harbour

Tino Nemani of Bay of Plenty runs the ball. Photo / Getty Images

Bay of Plenty 20
North Harbour 11

The weather was iffy, the crowd negligible and the rugby variable.

But the upshot was that Bay of Plenty clinched four priceless Championship points after edging an inconsistent North Harbour 20-11 at Mt Maunganui's Baypark Stadium.

The Steamers did it off the back of a workmanlike pack, led by lineout ace Keepa Mewett, two sparky wings in Tino Nemani and Chase Tiatia, and some smooth running and handling skills by No 10 Nic Evemy, who played mostly at centre last season.

Tiatia combined sweetly with Evemy to score their first second half try, and then bolted 50m for his double. Replacement Te Aihe Toma raised his 15th and blazer game.

Coach Clayton McMillan will raise a smile after he put out no less than nine Bay of Plenty debutants.

First five Matt McGahan was a mixture for the visitors, missing three goals and making the odd error. His replacement Daniel Halangahu was slightly more solid and landed his goals, but North Harbour could not arrest the slide.

They looked good for the opening 30 minutes, winning tightheads, breaking the line, and generally bringing the energy they do not normally show in their opening match.

Chris Vui and Gerard Tuioti-Mariner were winning lineout ball, the continuity was there, and they set good targets. But for all their apparent dominance, they could not post the points, their sole tangible reward a contentious try to fullback Junior Tofa-Va'a, who scored against his old team after a nice grubber from centre Michael Little.

The TMO gave him the nod, but Steamers fullback Te Rangi Fraser may well have grounded the ball first. When halfback Papa Wharewera dived over from a lineout drive, Bay of Plenty grew a metaphorical leg and even took an 8-5 lead into halftime.

Bay of Plenty hooker Nathan Harris played like a man who believes he can still book a Rugby World Cup berth. He made several surging runs and was still going strong at the end.

Next up for the Steamers is a trip to Nelson to face Tasman next Friday night, while North Harbour welcome Wellington to Albany on Thursday.

Bay of Plenty 20 (Chase Tiatia 2, Papa Wharewera tries; Nic Evemy con, pen) North Harbour 11 (Junior Tofa-Va'a try; Daniel Halangahu 2 pen) Halftime: 8-5