The Bay of Plenty Steamers laid down the gauntlet to the other ITM Cup Premiership contenders with a decisive 36-8 victory against long time rivals Waikato on Tuesday night at the Rotorua International Stadium.

Two significant milestones were set in the match which the Steamers dominated from the opening whistle, on one of the coldest nights of the year in Rotorua.

The winning margin surpassed the previous record (40-16) set in 1974 against the team that Bay of Plenty first met in 1921 – and the Steamers third successive victory sees them remain the only unbeaten side in the ITM Cup Premiership top echelon.

The opening first quarter was relatively even, before Steamers number 10 Dan Waenga opened the scoring with a penalty goal after 18 minutes.

Six minutes later Steamers fullback Toby Arnold crashed over after a 30-metre backline attack.

A Waikato penalty goal from the boot of Trent Renata was followed by two successful penalty attempts from Waenga, with the Steamers taking a solid 16-3 lead into the half time break.

Ten minutes after half time, Dan Waenga thrilled the Steamers fans with his second long-range penalty goal from around the half way line, to stretch the lead to sixteen.

Fifteen minutes into the second spell, Toby Arnold finished a concerted Steamers attack when he waltzed over out wide, for his second try of the game.

Steamers replacement front rower John Pareanga, grabbed his side's third touchdown half way through the second spell.

Waikato was rewarded for an attack into the Steamers territory when Toby Lyn crossed for his sides sole try of the encounter.

At the 70th minute mark, the Steamers roared back to pick up their second consecutive bonus point, when Taniela Moa grabbed his sides fourth try.

While the Steamers continued to attack in the closing minutes, the Waikato defence survived further onslaughts on their line.

New Zealand sevens star Toby Arnold had another outstanding game at fullback, with his double in the match taking his tally to three in three games. However the significant victory against their near neighbours was built upon the Steamers will to play as a unit, and to show the pride and passion that they have in the Blue and Gold uniform in front of their passionate home crowd fans.

While the Steamers have put a small break on the other contenders at the top of the ITM Cup Premiership standings, immediately after the match attention turned to the game on Sunday (31 July 2011) against Wellington, who are one of the long-time heavyweights of provincial rugby in the country.

Result July 26

Bay of Plenty Steamers 36 (Toby Arnold 2, John Pareanga, Taniela Moa tries; Waenga 4 pen con, Chris Noakes con) Waikato 8 (T Lyn try, T Renata pen).

By Stuart S.