The Bay of Plenty development team finished their 2012 Northern Region competition campaign in real style, posting their third successive victory, when they despatched Northland in Auckland on Saturday afternoon.

Playing into a strong wind in the first spell, the Bay side limited their opponents to two early tries which resulted in the Bay of Plenty representatives trailing by just seven points at the half time break in play.

While Northland were extremely competitive, the Bay team upped the pressure in the second spell to run in a further four tries, to post a solid 38-26 victory.

Steven Honey grabbed two of the Bay of Plenty tries with Danny Devereaux, Dwayne Burrows and Nick Thompson adding a touchdown apiece, while Willie Ripia kicked three penalty goals and converted two touchdowns.

Bay of Plenty team Manager Kevin Lee says it was a fitting way to end the season, with the team always stepping out with an absolute positive attitude during the six games of the Northern Region competition.

'Due recognition was provided of the quality of the Bay of Plenty second fifteen, with four Development players being called up to the Steamers squad during our season campaign.

'Two big compliments need to be handed out. Our coaching staff whose coaching philosophies and practises became more evident on the field, as the season progressed, led to the team winning their last three games.”

The only blow out of the Bay of Plenty Development team's season came in the first match against the highly regarded Auckland team.

After holding the home side to a 27 all tie at halftime, the Auckland side ran rampant in the second half.

Two narrow losses were followed by the Bay second fifteen's renaissance where they despatched archrivals Waikato, North Harbour and Northland in succession.

Willie Ripia finished the season as the sides leading point scorer with 63 points courtesy of 15 penalty goals and nine conversions with Dwayne Burrows finishing as the leading try scorer with three touchdowns.

Bay of Plenty Development Team 2012 Results

October 13

Bay of Plenty 38 (Steven Honey 2, Danny Devereaux, Dwayne Burrows, Nick Thompson tries' Willie Ripia 3 pen 2 con) Northland 26 – HT 5-12.

September 30

BOP 17 (Dwayne Burrows try; Willie Ripia 4 pen) North Harbour 15 - HT 3-8.

September 23

BOP 24 (Dwayne Burrows, Marty Stevenson. Jesse Acton tries; Willie Ripia 3 con pen) Waikato 15 HT 14-8

September 15

Auckland U21 – 13 BOP 9 (Willie Ripia 3 pen) HT 0-6

September 7

Counties Manukau 18 BOP 13 (Rawiri Tapiata try; Willie Ripia 2 pen con) HT 13-10

September 1

Auckland 61 BOP 27 (Jeremy Cave, Matt Clutterbuck, Dan Goodwin; Willie Ripia 3 con 2 pen) HT 27-27