The Steamers have endured a Friday night from hell at Rotorua International Stadium taking a 54-21 thrashing from Waikato in their Mitre 10 Cup encounter.

It was a dramatic change of fortune for the Bay of Plenty after playing so well in their last appearance at the venue, when they beat Taranaki 30-10.

They simply had no answer to the confidence, energy and verve of the Waikato side, who had looked impressive in winning their last three matches including a Ranfurly Shield challenge victory over Taranaki.

By contrast the Steamers, despite a strong start, struggled to find a pathway through the committed Waikato defence.

Discipline fell away too as they found themselves taking a hammering in the penalty count from referee Angus Mabey.

Waikato had a 21-0 lead with three converted tries by the time flanker Hugh Blake got over for the Bay's first four minutes before halftime.

That gave the home side some hope of a second half comeback, but it was a shortlived one as Waikato immediately turned up the wick after the break and added another five tries. At times they were almost breaking the Steamers' defensive line at will.

The Mooloo men had reached 42 when wing Bailey Simonsson finished one of the rare quality passing moves the Steamers managed for their second try, and the third from lock Kane Le'aupepe right on fulltime barely even counted as consolation.

Earlier in the evening it was better fortune for a team in blue and gold hoops as the Bay of Plenty Volcanix handed Taranaki a 73-0 thrashing in their Farah Palmer Cup encounter.

It was a record setting win for the Volcanix, their highest ever score in the provincial competition, and a morale-boosting way to get their first win in the Premiership division of the competition.