Minnows make Bay work hard for win

Bay of Plenty 27 Manawatu 16

Bay of Plenty made heavy weather of beating minnows Manawatu in Palmerston North last night.

Bay of Plenty had already secured a quarter-finals spot in the Air New Zealand Cup but, on the basis of last night's performance, only their staunchest supporters will consider them semifinals material.

It was Manawatu who delighted their home fans with a lively allround performance that augurs well for their prospects next season providing they are able to retain the same squad.

Two who will surely be first in line to be back next season are Simeli Tuiteci, who had a busy game from the left wing, and productive fullback Francisco Bosch.

Bosch picks the right options whether in attack or defence and his try last night was a fine example of his play.

Argentine Bosch scored Manawatu's only try in the 60th minute which tied the score at 14-14 before replacement first five-eighths Graham Smith's conversion saw the home side nudge ahead.

Bosch beat two tackles then kicked the ball behind a charging defence to win a 20m race for a spectacular touchdown.

Manawatu had given their fans a tonic by racing to a 6-0 lead by the eighth minute through two penalties to Matty James.

Bay of Plenty came back with a try in the 13th minute to halfback Jamie Nutbrown, probably their most consistent player.

He poached a try from a ruck 10m from the line with a darting run for first five-eighths Murray Williams to convert as Bay of Plenty grabbed a 7-6 lead to held at halftime.

Williams had a perfect kicking record tonight, collecting 12 points from two penalties and three conversions, two of them to second-half tries to No 8 Colin Bourke in the 44th minute and second five-eighths Cory Aporo in the 76th minute.

Bourke's try came during Bay of Plenty's best period of the game when they piled on the pressure for Bourke to dot down after six phases.

Manawatu lost to a more experienced side but at least showed the gulf separating them was not that large, especially when they looked like being hopelessly outclassed at the beginning of the season.

Manawatu ended their first season in the top flight competition with two points.

- NZPA