On a slippery night when good skills show out, the Steelers displayed enough of their wares to subdue a worthy Mid Canterbury Ranfurly Shield challenge in Pukekohe.
It wasn't flawless by any means, but Counties Manukau's ambition was there, and, on occasion, over-ambition. They saw home their advantage in the second half, however, scoring 24 unanswered points.
Mid Canterbury had the wind in the first spell, but virtually no ball until the 20-minute mark, and they looked tentative as the Steelers hoed into their work.
Steelers blindside flanker Dan Hyatt enjoyed his night. He scored the first two tries within just five minutes and then gave the last pass for fullback Jared Page to score.
Centre Sam Vaka was dangerous, their rolling maul was operating effectively, and it looked like a cricket score was in the offing.
But the Hammers hauled themselves back into the contest, hooker Jon Sharpe diving over, just after his fellow front-rower Tokolua Tolu had butchered a try with tunnel vision, and former Manu Samoa rep Esera Lauina almost latched on to a from No 10 Murray Williams. At 22-10 at the break, it was game-on.
The Steelers wrestled back the advantage in the second spell to score four tries. Page added another 16 points to go with his 33 on debut last week.
The next challenger will be Otago on August 23.
- By Campbell Burnes of the NZ Herald
Counties Manukau 46 (Dan Hyatt 2, Jared Page, Maama Vaipulu, John Tu'ungafasi, Toni Pulu, Andy Muirhead tries; Page 4 cons, pen) Mid Canterbury 10 (Jon Sharpe try; Murray Williams con, pen) HT: 22-10
