A record 29-point haul from the boot of Taranaki flyhalf Beauden Barrett helped secure a thrilling 39-33 win for his team over Bay of Plenty in their National Provincial Championship match on Tuesday.

The New Zealand Under-20 star kicked nine penalties and slotted one conversion in an astonishing kicking display, but that was nearly not enough as Bay of Plenty launched an impressive comeback which secured them two bonus points.

The win puts Taranaki in second place in the standings while the bonus points ensured that Bay of Plenty keep their position at the top of the log. With half an hour left the score was 33-20 to Taranaki but late tries from replacement wing Lance MacDonald and loose forward Sam Cane ensured that the log leaders protected their position.

The scorers:

For Taranaki: 
Tries: Vunisa, Baker
Con: Barrett
Pens: Barrett 9

For Bay of Plenty:
Tries: Masaga 2, MacDonald, Cane
Con: Noakes 2
Pens: Noakes 2, Waenga

The teams:

Taranaki: 15 Kurt Baker, 14 Andre Taylor, 13 George Pisi, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Jackson Ormond, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Craig Clarke (captain), 4 Jason Eaton, 3 Shane Cleaver, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Michael Bent.
Replacements: 16 Laurence Corlett, 17 Carl Carmichael, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Souness, 20 Brett Goodin, 21 Jack Cameron, 22 Isaia Tuifua, 23 Timo Tutavaha.

Bay of Plenty: 15 Toby Arnold, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Phil Burleigh, 12 Jason Hona, 11 Ben W Smith, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Colin Bourke (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Leon Power, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Daniel Perrin, 1 Tristan Moran.
Replacements: 16 John Pareanga, 17 Pingi Tala'apitanga, 18 Luke Andrews, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Josh Hall, 21 Daniel Waenga, 22 Lance MacDonald, 23 Bronson Murray.

Referee: Glen Jackson