15 Aug 2010

Auckland grind out uninspiring win in wet Bay of Plenty

7:06 am on 15 August 2010

Auckland have ground out an 11-6 win over Bay of Plenty in the national provincial rugby championship at a sodden Baypark Stadium in Mt Maunganui.

Neither team could maintain possession for long periods due to dreadful conditions, with an early try to Auckland winger Atieli Pakalani proving the difference.

Auckland's lone try was unconverted before opposing first five eighths - Auckland's Matt Berquist and Bay of Plenty's Phil Burleigh - traded two penalties each prior to half-time.

The second spell was a dour scoreless affair, with the hosts dominating much of the closing quarter but failing to break through the Auckland defence.