News

A controversial penalty try call minutes after the fulltime siren sounded has seen the PIC Steelers go down to Hawke’s Bay 25-24 in their Bunnings Warehouse NPC game at Navigation Homes Stadium on Friday night.

Referee Mike Winter adjudged replacement prop Ezekiel Lindenmuth to have collapsed a maul close to the try line and blew a penalty try after the PIC Steelers had led the game throughout.

Hoskins Sotutu, skipper Sean Reidy and Etene Nanai-Seturo scored tries for the PIC Steelers while Riley Hohepa contributed three conversions and a penalty.

It was a heart-breaking way to lose after Reon Graham’s side controlled the game for all bar the last 10 seconds.

The PIC Steelers fall to 0-2 on the season and are back home at Navigation Homes Stadium next Friday night when Bay of Plenty come to town.