Rugby: BoP take home the 2nd division trophy

5:00 PM

Bay of Plenty have broken a 22-year drought beating Nelson Bays 16-12 in this afternoon's NPC second division final.

The Steamers came out strong in front of a home crowd with a try from Rico Gear in the first five minutes.

Rodney Gibbs stretched his team's early lead to 10-0 with a successful conversion and penalty kick.

Thanks to the boot of Warren Johnston, the tide began to turn for defending champions Nelson Bays.

Not called 'Booty' for nothing, Johnston made two from two ten minutes before the half time whistle and cranked over another penalty in the final half's opening minutes.

Teammate Mark Milne quickly followed suit with another penalty and Nelson Bays took a two-point lead.

But they couldn't hold it.

BoP's Dean Jennings came back with two penalties to take the championship 16-12.

- Herald Online Staff