Luke Braid has just had a sublime season at No 7 for the Blues but dropping to a number lower for Bay of Plenty still couldn’t slow the outstanding flanker.

Braid was one of the stars for the Steamers as they over-ran North Harbour 38-17 in Mount Maunganui last night, keeping their unbeaten start to the ITM Cup season.

Bay’s ridiculous riches in the loose forwards were there for all to see. With Braid at blindside and New Zealand under-20 star Sam Cane at openside, skipper Colin Bourke was able to range wider on attack.

They lost the scrums and were edged in the possession stakes but Bay of Plenty outflanked North Harbour in their ITM Cup match in Mount Maunganui tonight, winning 38-17.

Bolstered by outstanding breakdown work from flankers Sam Cane and Luke Braid, the Steamers scored four tries to two and eased away for an ultimately comfortable victory.

Unbeaten after two games, Bay of Plenty is well set for an intriguing match with Chiefs rivals Waikato on Tuesday, before finishing their eight-day home streak against Wellington next Sunday.

Bay of Plenty have added further interest to Luke McAlister's ITM Cup return for North Harbour in Mount Maunganui on Saturday, throwing converted wing Jason Hona in to second-five to mark the 30-test veteran.

Hona has played all of his previous 37 games for the Steamers on the left wing, as well as a couple of games for the Chiefs last year.

But he played the majority of the club season for his Rangataua side at first-five, with Steamers coaches urging him to work on his distribution.

A fair amount of rotation as we head into 3 games in 8 days. Expect to see a different side again on Tuesday night for the visit of DS Waikato. Watch for Jason Hona playing at 12, there's a fair few people that think he will be better suited here where his size can be used.

Bay of Plenty Steamers v North Harbour @ Baypark, Mount Maunganui 23 July 2011 – kickoff 5.35pm.
1 Bronson Murray 2 John Pareanga 3 Josh Hohneck 4 Leon Power 5 Culum Retallick 6 Luke Braid 7 Sam Cane 8 Colin Bourke (captain) 9 Taniela Moa 10 Chris Noakes 11 Ben Smith 12 Jason Hona 13 Phil Burleigh 14 Lelia Masaga 15 Toby Arnold.
Reserves: Dan Perrin, Pingi Taiaapitaga/Tristan Moran, Leighton Price, Carl Axtens, Jamie Nutbrown, Dan Waenga, Lance MacDonald. Greg Pleasants Tate.