Bay of Plenty have continued their strong start to the National Provincial Championship, knocking off North Harbour 27-19 in Albany.
Despite being in the Championship division, Bay of Plenty's fast start and dominant second-half performance were too much for their Premiership rivals, despite flanker Mitch Karpik being yellow carded.
The sides scored three tries apiece, but it was the boot of Daniel Hollinshead that proved to be the difference. The Bay of Plenty No 10 slotted three conversions and two penalties to steer his side to their third win in four matches.
That puts Bay of Plenty top of the Championship ladder, though Taranaki can reclaim top spot if they upset Tasman this afternoon. North Harbour remain second-to-last on the Premiership ladder.
