Bay of Plenty stop of the rot

McCashin: 22 points for the Steamers

Bay of Plenty picked up a much-needed ITM Cup bonus-point win at Rotorua International Stadium on Friday, after beating Auckland 37-16.

It was the Steamers' second win from five outings thus far this season, and their first victory over Auckland in eight years.

Bay of Plenty full-back Nick McCashin's contrubuted 22 points, whilst his 78th-minute try also sealed the team's first bonus point of the season.

The result was all but in the bag already for the hosts at half-time, after leading 24-6 thanks to two first-half tries by full-back Lance MacDonald and McCashin's accurate boot.

Auckland launched a second-half fightback, however, with a penalty and converted try to Gareth Anscombe closing the gap to 24-16. Suddenly the visitors were in the game and with all the momentum.

But Steamers centre Phil Burleigh dashed Auckland's hopes when he intercepted a pass from flank Steven Luatua before racing 65m downfield to score.

McCashin's five-pointer on the stroke of full-time sealed the deal and the John Drake Memorial Trophy for the first time.

The scorers:

For Bay of Plenty:
Tries: McCashin, Burleigh, MacDonald 2
Cons: McCashin
Pens: McCashin 5

For Auckland:
Tries: Anscombe
Cons: Anscombe
Pens: Anscombe 3

Bay of Plenty: 15 Nick McCashin, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Mafi Kefu, 11 Jack Wilson, 10 Phil Burleigh, 9 Josh Hall, 8 Luke Braid, 7 Tanerau Latimer (c), 6 Dan Goodwin, 5 Leon Power, 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Daniel Perrin, 1 Greg Pleasants-Tate.
Replacements: 16 John Pareanga, 17 Mike Kainga, 18 Keepa Mewett, 19 Jesse Acton, 20 Lewis Hancock, 21 Simon Rolleston, 22 Lance MacDonald.

Auckland: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Ben Lam, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Hadleigh Parkes (c), 11 George Moala, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Sean Polwart, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Liaki Moli, 4 Sean Brookman, 3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Vella, 17 Angus Ta'avao, 18 Nathan Hughes, 19 Joe Edwards, 20 Auvasa Faleali'i, 21 Tony Fenner, 22 Dave Thomas.