It was embarrassing for large chunks of the downtrodden Pukekohe faithful who put themselves out of their misery well before the final whistle signalled a 32-9 Steamers win. But for Bourke, it was a beautiful thing.

"It gives me a lot more freedom knowing those two are chasing after the ball - they were just awesome today," Bourke admitted. "Then we get Solly (Solomon King) coming off the bench and adding impact - I can just sit back in my armchair and watch them!"

By a rough count, the turnover rate at ruck time was around 12-2 to the Steamers.

Mindful the home side would adopt a touch rugby-like game plan, they focussed on getting their lethal loosies to the second and third breakdowns.

It was a stifling, strangling approach which worked - first-five Mike Delany kept knocking subsequent penalties over from everywhere and wing Jason Hona chipped in with two well-taken tries.

Hona had one of his best games in the Bay jersey, mixing strong attack with formidable defence, yet he wasn't alone. Hooker John Pareanga had a superb all-round game, Delany's kicking was classy and the frontrow owned their opposites.

Wing Ben Smith is starting to show some sweet touches amid his utter reliability while Nigel Hunt shone at centre, organising defence and scoring a late try.

The best part of the whole show was that Bourke and his team readily conceded they've got huge areas to improve in, ahead of their match against Wellington in Rotorua on Saturday night.

"Holes were starting to open up after we wore them down by halftime but we were just struggling to get the ball into those holes. We're still getting used to combinations - it was pleasing to see our defence improve and it's good to come away with the win but we definitely need to tidy it up before we play Wellington."

Things look bleak for Counties-Manukau though - despite a healthy 5000-strong crowd and a good vibe in Pukekohe. Their attack was listless and their dangermen out wide - All Black Lelia Masaga and Seremaia Tagicakibau - weren't allowed any space.

On the flip side, the Steamers are light years ahead of where they were a fortnight ago. The three tries they scored yesterday was as many as they'd managed in the previous three games, while they've dried up the ones scored against them as well.

Delany only missed his last two conversion attempts to finish with a haul of 17 points and the team sounds as though the coaching uncertainty with Greg Smith has been put firmly aside.

"We've definitely had some off-field issues and we've been trying to keep our heads down and concentrate on our job," Pareanga reported. "I think it worked again today and we're gaining more and more trust in each other as we go along."

Bourke, meanwhile, is picking Braid may emulate his fellow loosie Latimer and wear an All Black jersey in the not-too-distant future.

"Braidy's definitely up there. I've played with him a lot and it's only a matter of time until he's up in the top echelon.

"It's awesome having those two around and we're really looking forward to having Lats here against Wellington, because we're going to need it."