The Auckland Mitre 10 Cup team closed out their pre-season with a 22-21 loss to Bay of Plenty at Shore Road this afternoon.

Auckland led for the majority of the match and muscled up on defence but playing with 14 men for the closing ten minutes, Bay of Plenty was able to find a way through to score, and steal the result.

The performance was a big improvement on last week’s match against North Harbour, the team showing increased understanding of the new breakdown laws and how to use them to their advantage.

It didn’t start well for the home team, Auckland giving up two early penalties which gave Bay of Plenty front foot ball in good field position. They turned the territory into points, Henry Stowers crashing over for the opening try.

Auckland responded with some solid defence, showing urgency in their game. A penalty took the team down field and after several drives at the line Kurt Eklund burrowed over. Captain Simon Hickey converted to give Auckland a 7-5 lead.

From the following kick off Auckland crafted a solid rolling maul, driving straight back into the Bay of Plenty half. Another penalty saw Hickey send the ball to the sideline and from a neat set piece he received the ball and sliced through the defence to score.

Hickey converted his own efforts for the 14-5 lead.

What followed was a long period of attack for the visitors, with Auckland showing some good physicality on defence.

Eventually Bay of Plenty was able to stretch the defence and go in for a try in the corner. 

Once again the Auckland team responded well. Steven Luatua was strong in breaking through the defence and putting Pryor Collier away for Auckland’s third try. 

Hickey again converted, giving Auckland a 21-10 lead.

Pisi Leulia and Latiume Fosita combined late in the half and Auckland looked to be in again but some brave goal line defence saw Fosita held up over the line.

The second half brought somewhat of a stalemate, with possession changing hands freely and both teams giving away a number of penalties.

Midway through the second spell Bay of Plenty broke the deadlock, but their third try was not converted, Auckland maintaining a 21-15 lead.

Auckland rolled out a number of substitutes late in the half, bringing a physical presence and getting through a good amount of work.

A late yellow card for Calvary Fonoti for no mouth guard meant Auckland was forced to defend the closing minutes with only 14 men.

While it looked as though Auckland had done enough to close out the match, Bay of Plenty scored and converted with the last play of the match to win 22-21.