Bay of Plenty have beaten Southland 33-22 in their national provincial rugby match at Mount Maunganui, despite the visitors staging a late comeback.
It was the Steamers' final home match of the season, and the team put on quite a spectacle for their fans.
Bay of Plenty scored their first try just two minutes after kick-off, and were soon 12-0 up after crossing the line again with less than 10 minutes gone.
The Steamers scored twice more before the half-time whistle, to lead Southland 20-3 at the break.
The home team extended their lead with the first try of the second half, but Southland got a rare opportunity with the ball about 15 minutes into the half, and James Wilson scored the Stags' first try of the match.
Bay of Plenty looked unbeatable when their captain Colin Bourke added yet another five points to their total, but the tide soon changed when the loosehead prop from each side was sinbinned for exchanging punches.
Southland ran in two converted tries during the next 15 minutes to come within eight points of the home team, but Bay of Plenty kept possession of the ball for much of the final eight minutes, and kicked a penalty in the 80th minute to seal the victory.
The win moves Bay of Plenty into fourth on the table, while Southland must beat Wellington next week to have any chance at a semi-final spot.
