The Tasman Mako produced its best performance of the NPC season at just the right time, beating Bay of Plenty 45-26 at Trafalgar Park on Thursday night.
The Bay’s All Blacks backs rocked the Mako in just the third minute with second five Emoni Narawa’s cross field kick, from inside his own 22, gathered by wing Fehi Fineanganofo who outpaced the defence.
The home side hit straight back when another returning All Black back, Timoci Tavatavanawai, floated a wide ball to captain Johnny Lee, who linked with fellow loose forward Shannon Frizell and he was unstoppable close to the line.
But Emoni put Fehi away again, from close range, and the Steamers went 12-5 up after 14 minutes.
The Mako then took charge, running in three more first half tries to secure an early bonus point.
The first came from a quick tap kick and dash from halfback Noah Hotham with hooker Eli Oudenryn finishing off.
Shannon powered through two tacklers to send fullback Maloni Kunawave over to score.
Australian Flanker Rory Scott then split the defence, showed real pace and, when he was dragged down, popped up a pass for centre Cooper Roberts to touch down for a 26-12 half-time scoreline.
The Mako quickly added to that buffer early in the second spell when Eli ranged wide, drew two tacklers, and sent wing Kyren Taumoefolau away for his 14th try of the season.
The Mako crossed for the sixth, in the 50th minute, after lock Lopeti Faifua turned the ball inside to returning All Black Noah.
The Steamers finally managed a third try in the 74th minute, but loose forward replacement Leicester Fainga’anuku, in an impressive return from injury, put in a cross field kick for Macca Springer to score in the corner, 45-19.
The visitors had the final with the four try bonus point after the final hooter but the comprehensive 45-26 victory lifted the Mako to sixth on the ladder with one round to play.
The side completes the round robin phase against Waikato in Hamilton next week.
