News

North Harbour have handed the PIC Steelers a 37-12 loss in the Bunnings Warehouse National Provincial Championship at North Harbour Stadium in Albany on Sunday.

The visitors made a solid start and dominated for long periods, holding a 7-3 lead with 10 minutes to play in the first half.

But back-to-back tries by the dangerous North Harbour attack saw the home side take the lead at halftime.

Handling errors continued to thwart any attacking opportunity Reon Graham’s side had as they let their opponents off the hook.

“We came up here with a plan and we just didn’t execute,” stand-in skipper Riley Hohepa said.

“It just felt flat, even in the warm-up today. It might have looked like we were in the contest, but it didn’t feel like it.

“We will have a pretty tough week.”

Captain Sekope Kepu limped off after 20 minutes with an Achilles injury.

The PIC Steelers will look to get back on the horse when they host Manawatu at Navigation Homes Stadium next Saturday night.