Bay of Plenty picked up their second win from as many starts with a bonus-point 38-17 win over North Harbour in their national provincial championship rugby match in Mt Maunganui today.
With winger Lelia Masaga bagging a brace of tries, Bay of Plenty controlled the game from the first whistle, and although the visitors picked up two second-half tries, the result was never in doubt.
Harbour's defence again leaked early points, as Bay of Plenty found good field position and moved the ball wide to find openside flanker Sam Cane rampaging down the right wing.
Cane showed good strength to power over in the corner, first five-eighth Chris Noakes added the extras and the home team led 7-0 after three minutes.
Masaga was over in the same spot seven minutes later after quick work at the breakdown from Bay of Plenty broke the advantage line and a well-placed kick from No 8 and captain Colin Bourke bounced perfectly for Masaga.
With Noakes again slotting the coversion, Bay of Plenty were up 14-0, completely dominating possession and territory.
Noakes added two penalties, and Harbour were in danger of going into halftime without any points on the board before No 10 Ben Botica slotted a penalty in the 39th minute.
Ahead 20-3 at halftime, Bay of Plenty started the second 40 minutes the same way they started the game -- on attack, and with a try in the first couple of minutes.
Masaga worked a nice wrap-around with centre Phil Burleigh to pick up his second, and although Noakes missed the conversion, Bay of Plenty were well in control at 25-3 ahead.
Harbour battled back, working hard to improve ball retention and proving threatening from the breakdown. They finally managed to establish some field position, and No 8 Mat Luamanu powered over from a quick tap.
Botica's conversion meant Harbour trailed by 15 at the 60-minute mark, but another Noakes penalty soon after extended Bay of Plenty's lead to 28-10.
Botica was subbed off, and replacement Codey Rei made an immediate impact, touching down in the left corner after taking the inside pass from replacement halfback Brenton Helleur.
Fullback Willie Walker's conversion made it 28-17, but Bay of Plenty continued to dominate possession and were rewarded for consisent pressure when winger Ben Smith crossed on the final whistle for the bonus-point try.
