Rugby: Bay of Plenty run riot against Northland

Bay of Plenty were celebrating, uh, plenty, against Northland today. Photo / Getty

Bay of Plenty 52 Northland 25

A scintillating attacking performance has given Bay of Plenty their first win in the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup.

Eight tries underlined the Steamers' 52 point haul; their biggest scoring output since 2003 in NPC rugby.

It was a deserved victory for a team who could be considered hard done by in their first three games of their campaign.

Clayton McMillan's men had been more unlucky than outclassed in their three opening losses, losing by minimal margins including two defeats which came down to the final seconds.

Their win was a credit to their forward pack, whose power was rewarded through two tries apiece to loose forwards Joe Tupe and Jesse Parete, while first five Kelly Haimona marshalled a smooth backline showing.

Tupe was a standout with 14 carries and 11 tackles to go with his two tries, while promising 20-year-old fullback Isaac Te Aute was elusive and fleet of foot, gaining a game-high 94 metres.

Northland were in the contest for most of the first half, but two yellow cards caused a numerical disadvantage which proved fatal to their hopes of cashing their first win since 2014.

The win temporarily vaults Bay of Plenty into the semifinal spots on the Championship ladder, but McMillan will still want to see defensive improvement however, with his troops having conceded 25 points in every game.

Bay of Plenty 52 (Jesse Parete 2, Joe Tupe 2, Terrence Hepetema, penalty try, Isaac Te Aute, Te Rangi Fraser tries; Kelly Haimona 6 cons)
Northland 25 (Waisea Lawebuka 2, Matt Talaese tries; Peter Breen con, 2 pens; Daniel Hawkins con)
Halftime: 19-11