Rugby: BoP battle to stay unbeaten

Bay of Plenty 30 Thames Valley 21

Bay of Plenty continued their unbeaten run in the second division, but were made to battle all the way against Thames Valley before winning at the Tauranga Domain.

When the Bay scored two tries in the opening six minutes, a rout looked on the cards but Thames Valley, with a solid performance from their forward pack, struck back and kept the home side honest to the final whistle.

The Bay will be disappointed with their disjointed effort, despite preserving their winning record and scoring their first four-try bonus point of the season.

It was hardly an ideal dress rehearsal for next weekend's key clash with joint second division favourites Nelson Bays.

The crowd of 2000 had hardly sat down when the Bay put two tries on the board.

Manu Samoan import Toa Samania stood up his opposite, Aaron Steel, on Thames Valley's wing to score the first, while Bay right wing Keith Pryor grabbed the second three minutes later when he was set free by centre Rico Gear. Both conversions were missed.

Thames Valley warmed to their task through the efforts of lock Penisoni Saukelea and flanker Pama Petia, and took a 11-10 lead midway through the first half, with Steel kicking two penalties and fullback Tila Toailoa getting on the outside of Pryor for a touchdown.

A Samania penalty and conversion of Pryor's second try in the 28th minute gave the Bay a 20-11 lead at halftime.

Despite a significant advantage in the scrums, with Tongan international prop Tevita Taumoepeau turning into the find of the season with a powerhouse effort, Bay undid all their set-piece work with dismal form in the lineouts, letting Valley's jumpers have a field day.

Steel and Samania traded penalties before the Bay kicked home with a try to makeshift lock Tom Solomon.

Petia was rewarded with a late consolation for Valley, but they dipped out on a losing bonus point.