News

The Counties Manukau PIC Steelers have bounced back to winning ways with a 41-33 victory over Manawatu at Navigation Homes Stadium on Saturday night.

On the back of a superb opening half, Reon Graham’s side played with freedom and flair that would have warmed the hearts of the nearly 70 former players that were in attendance for Past Players game.

Inspired by a brilliant performance from fullback Jared Page, who was lethal with his running game and made a couple of big tackles in his blazer game, the PIC Steelers delighted the big home crowd with some scintillating tries.

Manawatu scored after the halftime siren and again after the fulltime siren to make the game closer than it should have been.

Discipline will be a concern for the coaching staff after the home side found themselves on the wrong end of lopsided penalty count not for the first time this season.

Halfback Cameron Roigard was terrific again and completed the game on the left wing when the electric Benji Malimali limped off with an injury.

Skipper Sean Reidy and first-five Riley Hohepa also celebrated their blazer games in style while prop Lionel Evans made his debut off the bench.

It completed a double with the Bayley Counties Manukau Bs securing a 19-14 win over Taranaki in the curtain-raiser.