The Bay of Plenty Steamers posted their second successive success, in their three game preparation for the ITM Cup, when they defeated Hawkes Bay in a fast paced encounter in Napier on Friday (16 July 2010).

A attacking first ten minutes from Hawkes Bay saw them jump out to a 12 nil lead, before Toby Arnold grabbed the Steamers first touchdown. Further pressure from the home side resulted in another try to give them a 17-5 advantage.

Late in the first half the Steamers game grew in confidence, with Luke Andrews and Lance MacDonald touching down tries. At 17-15 to the home side at the half time break, the game was up for grabs.

A revitalised Steamers team fired from the second half kick-off, with Lance MacDonald running in his second touchdown after just five minutes. Further Steamers attacks paid dividends with Ben Smith, Josh Hohneck and Toby Arnold awarded tries. Three conversions and a penalty goal from Dan Waenga saw the Steamers leading 44-22, with ten minutes remaining in the match.

However two late consolation tries to Hawkes Bay, resulted in a final scoreline of BOP Steamers 44 Hawkes Bay 34. A pleasing feature of the seven-try victory, was that it reversed last years 35-7 defeat by Hawkes Bay in a pre-season game at the Tauranga Domain.

There is a quite confidence in the Steamers camp, heading towards the last warm-up encounter, with Taranaki next Friday (23 July 2010). A significant feature is that the new season recruits have blended seamlessly into the Steamers culture and patterns of play.

Result
BOP Steamers 44 (Lance MacDonald 2, Toby Arnold 2, Luke Andrews, Ben Smith, Josh Hohneck tries; Dan Waenga 3 cons pen) Hawkes Bay 34