The Bay of Plenty Steamers failed to get the start they wanted to the opening round of the 2012 ITM Cup when they were defeated by Taranaki at Baypark Stadium Mount Maunganui on Saturday.

Mafi Kefu side steps a Taranaki player in the first ITM Cup match at Baypark. Photo: Kane Hames Photography.

Along with the ITM Cup points on offer, the Peter Burke Trophy was on the line for the first time. While Burke became a Taranaki and All Black legend playing 117 games for his province, Peter commenced his representative career playing one game for Bay of Plenty in 1946.

Steamers kicker Kenny Lynn opened the scoring with a penalty goal after five minutes, before Taranaki replied with two penalties.

Flying Steamers winger Lelia Masaga started the ITM Cup in style, dashing over for the first try of the match halfway through the first spell.

However two converted tries to the visitors saw Taranaki lead 20-8 at the half time break.

Taranaki touched down their third try, a long range intercept after eight minutes in the second spell, with the conversion pushing them to a nineteen-point advantage.

In traditional Bay of Plenty style the Steamers came back into the match, with Culum Retallick crashing over after 25 minutes, followed by try scoring machine Lance MacDonald finishing off with his sides third touchdown ten minutes later

While the Steamers trailed by just eight with five minutes remaining in the match – a fourth opposition try on full time saw the match finish with Taranaki posting a 37-22 victory.

The Steamers will have a quick turnaround, as they prepare to post their first victory of the ITM Cup when they play Otago at the Rotorua International Stadium on Thursday (30 August 2012) night.

Taranaki 37 (James Braodhurst, Waisake Naholo, Beauden Barrett, Jason Eaton tries; B Barrett 4 con 3 pens) Bay of Plenty Steamers 22 (Lelia Masaga, Culum Retallick, Lance MacDonald tries; Nick McCashin 2 con, Kenny Lynn pen) HT 20-8.

Steamers player Nick McCashin at Baypark. Photo: Kane Hames Photography.