It was only a pre-season warm-up but any win over Auckland is a good win.

And today the Steamer's sneaked in 22-21 winners over the big union at the over-hauled Shore Road grounds in Remuera; a valuable dress rehearsal for their 2016 Mitre 10 Cup opener against Taranaki at the Domain next Saturday.

Bay of Plenty Steamers first five Dan Hollinshead during the 2014 ITM Cup season. Photo: File.

Auckland lead 21-10 at half time but the Steamers kept the locals scoreless in the second half scoring two tries to sneak home by a point.

For the Steamers Henry Stowers and Isaac Te Aute scored first half tries while Chase Tiatia and Te Aihe Toma brought them home, the final try being the last play of the game and converted to steal the win.

The game was played on a near perfect surface on the newly reconstructed Shore Road but the game was marked by two teams trying to figure the new breakdown rules.

The Steamers will kick off their Mitre 10 season proper at 2.35 next Saturday.

The Steamers Mitre 10 Cup season will kick off at 2.35pm on Saturday 20 August at Tauranga Domain, Tauranga.

Tickets are available online for all Steamers Mitre 10 Cup home games at www.boprugby.co.nz or www.ticketmaster.co.nz Alternatively tickets can be purchased from the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union offices or any Ticketmaster outlet for all home games.