Waikato have ended a two game losing streak with a late come from behind win to beat Bay of Plenty Steamers 35-34 to book themselves a home quarter final in the Bunnings NPC.

The Steamers took control of the game early and jumped out to a 10 point lead after 10 minutes with Kaleb Trask successful with a penalty before Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi crossed for the first try of  the afternoon.

Waikato scored their first try through Sefo Kautai when he busted his way over the line to score near the posts. Damian McKenzie added the extras and Waikato reduced bay of Plenty’s lead  to just 3 points.

Midway through the first half Waikato took the lead 14-10 when Laghlan MCWhannell was put into space to score the second try of the match. McKenzie was again successful with the conversion.

However the visitors took back the lead when they crossed via Kurt Eklund and Leroy Carter. Trask was successful with 1 out of 2 conversions as Bay of Plenty went into the break with a 22-14 lead.

In the second half 2 quick tries by Leroy Carter and Joey Walton plus Trask successfully converting 1 of the 2 tries saw the Steamers lead extended to 20 points with 30 minutes to play.

But in the final 20 Waikato finally seemed to click and things started going their way. Liam Coombes-Fabling would start the fight back when he crossed for Waikato’s third try. McKenzie added the extras and Waikato now trailed 34-21 with 16 minutes left on the clock.

With 6 minutes left Luke Jacobson took it off the back of a scrum and smashed his way over to score, McKenzie was again successful with the conversion and Waikato were within a converted try of taking an unlikely win.

Waikato were awarded a penalty with 3 minutes remaining and opted for the lineout close to the Bay of Plenty line. But the ball would be slapped back onto the Steamers side but a quick reaction from Patrick McCurran saw him regather the ball and score for Waikato to set up McKenzie with the go ahead conversion.

McKenzie was again successful with the conversion as Waikato came back to steal the victory at the death and set up a rematch back at FMG Stadium Waikato this Sunday against Bay of Plenty.

Waikato NPC 35 (Sefo Kautai, Laghlan McWhannell, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Luke Jacobson, Patrick McCurran tries, Damian McKenzie 5 conversions)

Bay of Plenty Steamers 34 (Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Kurt Eklund, Leroy Carter 2, Joey Walton tries; Kaleb Trask 3 conversion, 1 penalty)  

Article added: Monday 03 October 2022