Harbour fall to the Bay

So close yet so far for QBE Harbour in their ITM Cup opener, with Bay of Plenty scoring a couple of opportunist tries to get the spoils 20-11 in Tauranga.

Harbour gave the ball plenty of air early in the first half, and found acres of space behind the Steamers defensive line. Centre Michael Little kicked a delicate grubber into the opposition 22 which Harbour debutant Junior Tofa Va’a managed to pounce on and score, although it needed a second look from the TMO.

The hosts were infringing at a rate of knots but Harbour struggled to make them pay on the scoreboard. First five Matt McGahan’s radar was off, missing all three of his attempts on goal. Down by just five points and with the wind at their backs the Steamers rolled into Harbour’s 22 where halfback Papa Wharewera darted off the back of a lineout drive to open their account.

Nick Evemy couldn’t convert, but a penalty right on halftime gave the Bay an 8-5 advantage.

The Steamers picked up from where they left off in the first forty, camping in Harbour’s end for the first 15 minutes of the second half. After some tireless defence a crack was exposed in tight, where the pace of the elusive Chase Tiatia was too much to handle, strolling over for the Steamers second of the night.

Harbour coach Steve Jackson rung the changes, with young livewire loose forward Hapakuki Moala-Liava’a and Daniel Halangahu providing some more impetus up the middle. The veteran playmaker’s kicking game came into play as the weather worsened, adding two penalties to get Harbour within touching distance.

With a few minutes remaining and the score at 15-11, Harbour had an attacking lineout on the Bay’s line. It was collected excellently but on the next play the ball was held up in a heap, giving the Steamers the scrum. The hosts eased the pressure and then pounced when a moment arised, with Tiatia getting the perfect off-load to run sixty metres for his second try and seal the result for his side.

Harbour have six days to regroup before their first home game against Wellington next Thursday. Nic Mayhew's the only injury concern coming off in the first half with bruised ribs.

BAY OF PLENTY 20 (Papa Wharewera, Chase Tiatia 2 tries; Nick Evemy pen, con), HARBOUR 11 (Junior Tofa Va’a try; Daniel Halangahu 2 pen). HT 8-5.

Match Report: NICK BEWLEY