Rugby: Bay of Plenty monster Wellington

Phil Burleigh of Bay of Plenty. Photo / Getty Images

Bay of Plenty 32
Wellington 0

Three tries inside the opening 20 minutes set the base for competition leaders Bay of Plenty to pound Wellington 32-0 in their ITM Cup match at Mt Maunganui today.

The win was the home team's fourth from as many starts, and their third over Wellington in the last three years.

Bay of Plenty made the early running, and were rewarded with early points after quick work from the base of the scrum saw halfback Taniela Moa catch the Wellington defence napping.

Moa brushed off the tackle of Wellington openside flanker Scott Fuglistaller with disdain as the line opened up him.

The steady boot of first five-eighth Chris Noakes

added the extras and Bay of Plenty led 7-0 after five minutes.

A Noakes penalty 13 minutes later made it 10-0 as Wellington continued their struggle for possession and territory.

Moa was outstanding for Bay of Plenty, his running and passing game complemented by some good work under the high ball as he marshalled a sharp-looking backline.

In the 29th minute, Wellington -- starved of possession and desperately defending their line -- succumbed to the inevitable as the home team kept the ball close for numerous phases before hooker John Pareanga dived over after a no-look inside pass from Moa.

Bay of Plenty's third came in the 34th minute, Phil Burleigh touching down after more concerted pressure as the ball was kept close before being shifted wide for the centre to cross.

The 22-0 halftime score reflected Bay of Plenty's comprehensive first-half territorial advantage, built on the back of an intelligent kicking game well-directed by Noakes.

In contrast, Wellington managed a reasonable share of possession but at the wrong end of the paddack after they were too often guilty of aimless kicking.

Bay of Plenty's front eight laid the base for the win, working hard in the loose, packing down a solid scrum and dominating the lineout to keep Wellington under constant pressure.

Wellington played with more direction in the second stanza, keeping Bay of Plenty scoreless apart from a Noakes penalty until the final minutes.

The vistors had threatened briefly as the match wound down, but poor handling let them down as Bay of Plenty pounced on the turnover to spark a loength-of-the-field try.

Replacement hooker Daniel Perrin featured with an impressive turn of speed down the right touch before good support play ensured sevens star Toby Arnold was on hand to score the bonus-point try.

Bay of Plenty 32 (Taniela Moa, John Pareanga, Phil Burleigh, Toby Arnold tries; Chris Noakes 2 pen, 3 con) Wellington 0. Halftime: 22-0.

- NZPA