Far too many factors were stacked up against the Bay for Thursday's clash with the Taniwha. The injury toll was alarming and late in the game there was a bewildering juggle of formations as we tried to keep 15 fit players on the field.

Phil Burleigh looked lively but went off injured soon after kick-off. Luke Braid was everywhere causing havoc at the breakdown and quickly followed Burleigh to the sideline. After Mike Delany's best half of the season, he didn't show for the second half and the advantage of the wind in the second half was diminished by the absence of the first-five and his cover.

The wind seemed to disappear in the second half and with a myopic TMO there was never going to be a Bay victory.

The Fan likes to look on the bright side. If the Steamers had crushed Northland 50-0, we would still have finished sixth on the ladder and so Bay fans were able to enjoy the sunshine without the frustration of watching other provinces let us down.

Goodbye to John Moore and Grant McQuoid who have played their final games for the Steamers. Both of them served the Bay for two stints and both of them were solid and reliable.

Moore came back to form a partnership with Culum Retallick when Bay locking stocks were desperately thin following the departure of Upton and Sorenson. Moore was a great team man, and always gave his best on the paddock for the Bay jersey.

McQuoid's finest days were in 2004 when his combination with Rua Tipoki was potent. With Glen Jackson conducting, Tipoki would dart and dance while McQuoid hit the line at high pace.

It was an up and down season for the Bay with all but one of their home games ending in victory but just two triumphs on the road. The frustrating part of their away form was that the upset wins over Hawkes and Wellington were balanced out by defeats to Tasman and Northland when the semi-finals were in reach.

A Top 7 finish is a fine achievement and fighting it out with the big boys next season will be an exciting ride.

The Fan in the Stand picks these players as his best for 2010.

Colin Bourke. Bourke is the undisputed talisman of the team and in every game he showcased his astounding all-round skills. For somebody signed from that other Bay, he is Steamers through and through.
Luke Andrews. An unheralded signing, Andrews is at an advanced age for a rugby player, but raced around the field like a young buck. He was a constant menace to opposing lineouts.
Lelia Masaga. Flash was a big name signing for the Bay and after early battles with form and injury, he brought the middle of the season to life with sparkling runs and try after try.