Rugby: Bay of Plenty hold their top four spot

Bay of Plenty 24
Tasman 13

Bay of Plenty held their nerve to beat Tasman in a spiteful, error-ridden national provincial rugby match in Mt Maunganui last night.

A try to burly halfback Junior Poluleuligaga with 17 minutes remaining broke the deadlock as two teams placed in the top four coming into this week fought out a willing contest at Bay Park Stadium.

The match was marred by poor handling which belied the lofty standing of both sides while several flashpoints late in the first half saw three yellow cards dished out in three minutes by Australian referee Nathan Pearce.

The hosts were hit hardest, losing loose forwards Luke Braid and Colin Bourke at close intervals while Tasman halfback Kahn Fotuali'i was also sinbinned, turning the match into a 14 versus 13 affair for several minutes.

Third before today, Bay of Plenty deserved to snare their sixth win in eight games and fourth from four matches against Tasman.

They scored two tries to one and were directed expertly around the park by first five-eighths Mike Delany, who became the first player to register 100 points this season with his nine-point haul.

They hit the front in the 16th minute through a try to second five-eighths Phil Burleigh via a neat offload from lock Culum Retallick, while Poluleuligaga's burrowing try was a result of concerted pressure, one of the few times in the game that one team could hold the ball through multiple phases.

Captain Bourke made the game safe near the end by charging down a clearing kick and scoring.

Tasman, who had convincing wins over Waikato and Manawatu in their last starts, packed a strong scrum and were enterprising at times but made far too many basic mistakes to create pressure.

Bay of Plenty 24 (Phil Burleigh, Junior Poluleuligaga, Colin Bourke tries; Mike Delany pen, 3 con)

Tasman 13 (Alex Ainley try; Andrew Goodman 2 pen, con). HT: 7-3.

- NZPA