CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL HIGHLIGHTS: Wellington v Bay of Plenty
- 2395
A thrilling game of rugby as Wellington secured promotion to the Premiership beating Bay of Plenty 59-45. Bay of Plenty came out the gates flying as they scored the first try of the match 3 minutes into the game. Thomas Umaga-Jenson then went over the line from Wellington, he was denied his second try not long after as he was ruled offside from the scrum. Joe Webber then put the visitors 9 points ahead with a fantastic solo try.
Wellington fought back well scoring two quick tries to lead 20-14 at half time. It took Wellington 14 seconds to get on the scoresheet in the second as he charged down Mike Delany's kick and scored in the corner. Garden-Bachop missed the conversion but added a penalty not long after.
Tyler Ardron then intercepted a pass by Garden-Bachop to score before Joe Webber then score another superb try. The two sides then exchanged the lead and Wellington lead with 7 minutes left on the clock. Terrence Hepetema collected a great offload by Chase Tiatia to score and Delany leveled the scores with 2 minutes left to play.
Jackson Garden-Bachop had the chance to win the game for Wellington with a 45 metre penalty, the 23-year-old couldn't convert and the game went into extra time.
Wellington rallied in extra time scoring two tries in the first 10 minutes of extra time and another in the second by Julian Savea. Mitchell Karpik went over in the 100 minute but the game was over by then.