But it was still Bay of Plenty's fourth yellow card this season, more than any other team in the competition, and the string of penalties they conceded in the second half was like a dead weight as they tried to break the game open with a strong wind behind them.
In the end it was three Tasman fouls which proved the difference - each time first-five Mike Delany stepped up and nailed vital kicks, missing just one of his six shots at goal during the match.
Surely Delany, mixing clever punting with sharp, darting running, has secured the pivot job for the rest of the season, although that's not to say there isn't a place for his main rival Murray Williams.
Williams was equally as effective at fullback, a late call-up for Charles Baxter and Hayden Reid who were both ruled out with injury, and having two play-makers on the field at once is proving beneficial.
Both players got an armchair ride from halfback Jamie Nutbrown, who continued his outstanding form with a try and a robust display as the Steamers collected their second win of the season.
It moves them into fourth place in pool A with nine points while Tasman, who scored from two converted tries and a penalty, dropped to sixth from fifth.
Bay of Plenty now have a vital match with Taranaki at Blue Chip Stadium on Saturday night, with the winner guaranteed two home games in the second round and an easier repechage pool.
What was pleasing from the Tasman game was the scrambling defence - centre Wayne Hughson pulled off a try-saving tackle on opposition wing Lucky Mulipola with four minutes remaining - and a memorable first half into a strong wind.
Nutbrown started things off from a sloppy lineout 30m out from the Tasman line after 12mins.  The former Canterbury halfback had to scramble to clean up, but found space down the blindside and set off on a weaving run, chipping ahead near the line.
He swooped when Tasman loosie Alex Ainley couldn't control the ball, and ambled in under the posts.
Tasman scored next, through first-five Ben Gollings. Gollings, who has played international sevens rugby for England, showed a sharp turn of pace to slice through a gap in Bay of Plenty's defence to dot down close to goalposts.
Tasman second-five Aaron Kimura was adjudged to have lost control of the ball as he tried to put it down after 25mins, but made amends a minute later when he slipped through weak defence near the posts.
But Williams put a sweet grubber through after half an hour, wing Anthony Tahana reacting and chasing well to score his 28th try for the province.
Delany's conversion was outstanding, punching it low into the wind and bending it through the posts.
Tasman lost a lot of their shape when Gollings, clearly not fully fit, was substituted at the start of the second half by Tim Taylor, and Delany's boot ultimately got his side home.

Bay of Plenty 23 (Jamie Nutbrown, Anthony Tahana tries; Mike Delany 3 pen, 2 con) Tasman 17 (Ben Gollings, Aaron Kimura, tries; Tim Taylor pen, Kimura, Gollings con)
Halftime: 14-14.

Story with thanks to the Bay of Plenty Times