News

The PIC Steelers have ended their 2023 Bunnings Warehouse NPC campaign with a 38-22 loss to Otago at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Sunday.

With Waikato upsetting Canterbury on Saturday, the chances of the PIC Steelers making it to the quarter-finals evaporated and so Sunday’s game became about pride.

Reon Graham’s side started well but the home side were motivated as they farewelled a couple of long-serving players.

There was only two points in it at the halftime break but Otago cut loose in the second half, blowing the lead out.

The PIC Steelers continued to battle and scored a long-range try through Blake Makiri to give themselves a shot before Otago scored on fulltime to ice the match.

The PIC Steelers finish their campaign with four wins from 10 matches and with a couple of close games going the wrong way.

Still, the side showed significant progress from 2022 and are well-placed to capitalise on that growth next season.