Mitre 10 Cup HIGHLIGHTS: Otago vs Bay of Plenty

Otago secure a playoff spot the Premiership division of the Mitre 10 Cup as they punished Bay of Plenty's mistakes and ultimately leaving the visitors' season hanging in balance. Highlanders utility back Matt Faddes scored a second-half brace despite his side being down a man for both of those tries. Bay of Plenty started the game strongly as Futai found his way over the line inside the first 5 minutes of the half but Josh Ioane responded 10 minutes later for the first of his two tries in the game. Kaleb Trask scored a try and penalty as the Steamers went 7-13 ahead. Vilimoni Koroi put Otago ahead inside the last 5 minutes of the first half but Bay of Plenty took a 6 point lead into the break after a penalty try. Otago scored 17 consecutive points inside the first 10 minutes of the second half before Crozier got one back for the Steamers. Otago scored another two tries through Faddes and Koroi before Aaron Carrol gave the Steamers a chance of taking two losing points but the Bay of Plenty couldn't grab another 7 points in final minutes of the half.