The Bay of Plenty Steamers posted their third successive victory in the ITM Cup, when they defeated Otago in a high scoring affair at the Rotorua International Stadium on Friday night.


File photo.

Just six minutes into the game Lelia Masaga showed his class as he burst over the line to dot down his seventh try of this season's ITM Cup. Just five minutes later Phil Burleigh grabbed the Steamers second try.
Otago came back, to burst through and score a touchdown. Two further Steamers first half tries came when prop Josh Hohneck and skipper Colin Bourke dotted the ball down. The captain's five pointer gave his side a valuable bonus point.
Otago kicker Glenn Dickson kept his side in the contest with three penalty goals, with the second half time score line showing the home side ahead 29-16.
Two penalty goals to Mike Delany put the Steamers further ahead, before Otago charged back into the match to narrow the margin to just five points, with two tries.
However in typical Steamers determination, they finished the game with another touchdown awarded to replacement Solomon King, to take out the encounter 40-30.
A notable mark was achieved during the game, when John Pareanga led this side out on Rotorua International Stadium as a tribute to the Steamers hooker's 50th game in the Blue and Gold colours.
The Steamers victory was built upon playing the game in Otago territory for much of the match. The final result not only gave the Steamers their third successive victory, but also more importantly moved the Bay side into a solid position in the ITM Cup top seven.

BOP Steamers 40 (Lelia Masaga, Phil Burleigh, Josh Hohneck, Colin Bourke, Solomon King tries; Mike Delany 3 pens 3 cons) Otago 30 (H Triggs, G Small, B Smith tries; G Dickson 3 pen 2 con, C Noakes con)