Here’s your assignment for tonight, Bay of Plenty Steamers. Despite yet another wet night, you must play superb 15 man rugby. The four try bonus point must be secured by half-time so that early into the second half, you will have an unassailable lead.

Having achieved total lineout and scrum domination, you must then play careless, festival rugby in your own half so that Otago can come back to within a converted try of victory. Having caused heart palpitations amongst your loyal supporters, you will finally close out the game. Oh and I almost forgot, the final conversion must be attempted barefoot!

It would have been the fitting end to a hugely entertaining game had John Pareanga slotted the barefoot kick but he did have a great 50th game for the Bay. Despite not catching the eye for Chiefs selection since he was a Waikato colt, Pareanga has been a solid performer for the Bay and is having one of his best seasons in 2010.

The Fan has never seen the Bay line-out function better than on Thursday night and Culum Retallick and Luke Andrews both had massive games. Ironically, the Chiefs have already announced that three of their four locks have been recruited from outside the franchise region which must serve as a huge disincentive to the well-performing Bay, Counties and Waikato second-rowers.

Skipper Colin Bourke conjured a magical fifty minutes of rugby where he showcased all of his prodigious talents. He might not be the best traditional number eight in the country but he is certainly the most versatile forward. He offloaded like SBW and rounded off the Bay’s bonus point try with a couple of nifty sidesteps. This was the Fan’s favourite try of the year so far, a dominant scrum, Latimer harassing, Braid driving over, Pareanga and Retallick with quick hands and Bourke to finish. Magnificent.

Predictably the Flash, Lelia Masaga, crossed for yet another try. He made his impressive run, kick and regather look rather routine which is the mark of a great finisher. He is only one off the lead in the race to be the season’s top try-scorer and a Bay player has never been in contention for that title before.

The Fan believes that this Thursday game in Wellington will be the one that defines our season. A win at the Cake Tin will launch the Bay into contention for a spot in the Top Four, while a defeat will cause us to scrap for every point to make the all important Top Seven.

Wellington’s form has been patchy this season but they have more than enough strike power to cause problems. There are three former Bay players in Wellington’s squad and Tipuna, Mailata and Stewart will be keen to show their skills to their former province. Go the Bay!