While the Bay of Plenty Steamers sit at the top of the ITM Cup Premiership competition with an unbeaten record after three games, it is business as usual on Sunday at Steamers headquarters, Baypark.

With a 4.35pm kick-off, the Steamers face the challenge of fellow premiership team Wellington.

The Bay of Plenty record against Wellington shows the magnitude of the challenge that the Bay side faces each time the two teams meet.

In 30 games since 1912, Bay of Plenty has won on just four occasions with two matches drawn.

However, honours in the last two years are firmly with the Steamers, after they defeated Wellington 21-17 in 2009 and posted a 31-24 victory last year in the capital city.

Steamers assistant coach Paul Feeney is confident of continuing this trend.

'While we have the home ground advantage at Baypark on Sunday, Wellington showed on Wednesday night when they defeated Canterbury, that they are serious Premiership contenders, and our side will need to be at their best to emerge with the win,” says Paul.

'The Wellington match-up will show if we have the necessary qualities to take out this season's ITM Cup Premiership championship.

'The Steamers' scrum showed when they out-muscled Waikato on Tuesday night that they have a forward pack capable of mixing with the best in the ITM Cup.”

The Waikato match produced two notable milestones, with Lelia Masaga and Taniela Moa, who both joined the Steamers last season, playing their blazer (15) games for Bay of Plenty.

'On Sunday, the Steamers will get the opportunity to show their multitude of loyal fans that they are genuine 2011 ITM Cup contenders,” says Paul.

'If we can continue on from the Waikato game, where we showed consistency throughout the match and a real hunger for victory, the Steamers can repel the Wellington challenge.”

While Steamers head coach Sean Horan is making judicious use of his player resources, a key group will be playing their fourth straight 2011 ITM Cup game.

Among them is Steamers captain Colin Bourke, who always leads from the front, and is almost unstoppable when in full cry.

Prop Josh Hohneck has made the number three jersey his own, with lock Culum Retallick a standout in the lineouts, winning his side a myriad of quality ball.

The outside backline trio of Phil Burleigh, Lelia Masaga and Toby Arnold are the attack force of the Steamers, with the all three never stopping in their pursuit of the ball.

Bay of Plenty Steamers v Wellington July 31, Baypark, Mount Maunganui

1 Tristan Moran 2 John Pareanga 3 Josh Hohneck 4 Luke Andrews 5 Culum Retallick 6 Tanerau Latimer 7 Luke Braid 8 Colin Bourke (captain) 9 Taniela Moa 12 Steve Kefu, 13 Phil Burleigh 14 Lelia Masaga 15 Toby Arnold.

Reserves: Dan Perrin, Pingi Talaapitaga, Leighton Price, Sam Cane, Jamie Nutbrown, Dan Waenga, Ben Smith, Bronson Murray.

Coach: Sean Horan

Assistant Coach: Paul Feeney

Manager: Ross Everiss

Physios: Damian Banks & Paul Cameron

Doctor: Morne du Plessis

F&C Coach: Murray Pedersen

Analyst: Dean Jennings.

Bay of Steamers 2011 ITM Cup Schedule

17 July – BOP Steamers 20 Counties Manukau 13

23 July – BOP Steamers 38 North Harbour 17

26 July – BOP Steamers 36 Waikato 8

31 July (Sunday) v Wellington @ BayPark, Mount Maunganui

4 August (Thursday) v Northland @ Whangarei

9 August (Tuesday) v Taranaki @ New Plymouth

13 August (Saturday) v Hawkes Bay @ Rotorua International Stadium

20 August (Saturday) v Auckland @ Eden Park, Auckland

23 August (Tuesday) v Canterbury @ BayPark, Mount Maunganui

28 August (Sunday) v Southland @ Invercargill