No joy for PIC Steelers at Albany

North Harbour have thwarted any chance of second-half Counties Manukau PIC Steelers comeback to win their Mitre 10 Cup contest 32-5 at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday.

The home side scored first through former Counties Manukau player Jarrad Page and then added a second try not long before halftime.

It meant the Premiership side took a 17-0 lead to the break.

North Harbour’s forward pack dominated set piece and were terrific over the ball.

Errors hindered the PIC Steelers and the opponents were able to steal turnovers on a number of occasions the visitors gained a little ascendancy.

But winger Kirisi Kuridrani dived over in the corner to score a try that got Tai Lavea’s side back into the match.

But just as the PIC Steelers started to mount a comeback they conceded a try that broke the camel’s back and North Harbour were able to skip clear and secure victory.

“We coughed up the ball too much and a classy team like that will make you pay,” captain Orbyn Leger said.

“I think it is just a mindset thing. We showed last week we can do that but we just need to flick the switch every time.”

The PIC Steelers will head back to Pukekohe next week for a final match of the season against Southland at Navigation Homes Stadium.