The Bay of Plenty Steamers passed their first real test of the 2011 ITM Cup with flying colours when they ran riot against Wellington late on Sunday.

The Bay of Plenty team posted 32 unanswered points as they literally brushed aside the challenge from the team from the capital city.

John Pareanga crosses the line to score the Steamers' second try of the match.

Just four minutes into the match at Baypark, Mount Maunganui, halfback Taniela Moa crossed for the Steamers' first try, with Chris Noakes banging home the conversion. Two further Steamers tries to John Pareanga and Phil Burleigh saw the Bay side lead 22-nil at the halftime break.

The Steamers had to repel a number of Wellington attacks early in the second spell, before returning to dominate possession.

A Wellington mistake after 30 minutes of the second spell resulted in Chris Noakes extending his side's lead with a further penalty goal.

One of the Steamers' best tries in a long time came late in the match when Ben Smith gathered the ball behind the in goal area.

A length of the field attack with the ball passing through a number of Steamers hands finished when Toby Arnold crashed over for a bonus point fourth touchdown.

The Steamers 32-nil victory over Wellington was built upon a forward pack that ground out the yards each time that they put their heads down and ran as a pack with the ball in hand.

Halfback Taniela Moa was again in superb form, giving his backline quality ball and making piercing runs at every opportunity.

The significance of the Steamers victory was just starting to sink in as the 8000 strong crowd walked from Baypark Stadium.

The Bay of Plenty side sits top of the ITM Cup Premiership table and remains the only team in the two divisions of the ITM Cup to remain unbeaten after four games.

While the Steamers have beaten the team from the capital on just five occasions since 1912, the 32 point victory on Sunday is the Bay of Plenty teams third straight win over one of countries rugby heavyweights.

The new week again brings a short turnaround, with the Steamers travelling to the far north of New Zealand to play long time rivals Northland in Whangarei on Thursday evening.

Result 31 July 2011

Bay of Plenty Steamers 32 (Taniela Moa, John Pareanga, Phil Burleigh, Toby Arnold tries; Chris Noakes 3 con 2 pen) Wellington 0.