Wellington shrugged off two yellow cards and a rugged Steamers outfit to win 31-13 and seal a home Championship semifinal.
They are three points shy of Hawke's Bay on the log, so can still pray for a home final, but are 10 points clear of third-placed Otago.
At Mt Maunganui's Baypark Stadium, the Lions lost props Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Ben May to the sinbin, but Bay of Plenty could add just three points in that pivotal time, while the home side were not able to capitalise on a strong wind.
The 31-13 victory was highlighted by a brace to lock Jeremy Thrush, who again showed his worth with a whole-hearted display. For the first, he splintered the Bay of Plenty defence from a lineout drive, and the second, just 10 minutes later, saw him burst forth from a maul and sprint 20m to the line. Thrush is surely the next cab off the rank should the All Blacks locking stocks take a hit in the UK.
For individual brilliance, however, it was hard to go past Lions No 8 Ardie Savea, who gassed the Steamers cover in a 40m burst. There was time for fullback Cory Jane to pick up his first ITM Cup try of 2015.
Bay of Plenty had several willing workers, such as No 6 Johan Bardoul and blazer game lock Keepa Mewett, and spark in the backline like Tino Nemani and Chase Tiatia. The latter did provide a spectacular moment when he flipped a pass to Bardoul for their sole try after a long breakout. But they received a lesson in how to shut out a game by the more seasoned Lions.
Bay of Plenty are in Dunedin to close the regular season facing Otago next Sunday in a Championship clash that will determine third and fourth. Wellington host Manawatu in the capital next Saturday in a crossover match.
- by Campbell Burnes
Wellington 31 (Jeremy Thrush 2, Ardie Savea, Cory Jane, Tomasi Alosio tries; Jonny Bentley 2 con, Jackson Garden-Bachop con) Bay of Plenty 13 (Johan Bardoul try; Dan Hollinshead con, 2 pen) Halftime: 12-10
