The Bay of Plenty Under-20 rugby team put together an improved performance in its second game of the Northern Region competition when they were defeated by Auckland.

While they were never in the encounter with Waikato in the season opener last week – they were in contention for long periods in the first half against Auckland at the weekend.

The Bay took a 20-7 lead into the halftime break, however in the second spell Auckland exerted some authority to post a 54-12 victory.

The Bay of Plenty points came form a try in each half with Marnus Hanley and Andrew Tuise crossing for a touchdown apiece with Jeff Berry slotting a conversion.

The Bay of Plenty Under-18 and 16 representative teams showed they are ready for their respective Northern Region championship campaigns when they play their Hawke's Bay counterparts on Sunday.

In the two pre-season hit-outs played in Taupo the Under-18 side was narrowly defeated 17-15 with the Under-16 side finishing with a 19-13 victory.

Northern Region Representative Results 27/28 August

Under-20: Auckland 54 BOP 12 (Marnus Hanley, Andrew Tuise tries; Jeff Berry con) HT 20-7.

Pre Season

Under-18: Hawke's Bay 17 BOP 15

Under-16: BOP 19 Hawke's Bay 13