The Bay of Plenty Steamers have won themselves a Mitre 10 Cup Championship Semi Final spot in winning against Hawkes Bay 26-24 last night.

The visitors to McLean Park managed a bonus-point win, which was looking far more safe than the final scoreline, as the Magpies scored twice in the final five minutes to set up a grandstand finish.

The Steamers finish on the same competition points as Manawatu but having beaten them the weekend prior, they get the nod for the semifinals. They will finish third or fourth, depending on how North Harbour who are two points back fare against Northland on Sunday afternoon.

In a game which Bay of Plenty dominated hugely, it was bizarre how Hawke's Bay stayed in the contest, in a match which meant nothing for them, with their relegation from the premiership already assured.

The Steamers had countless opportunities to convert penalties for points, but hunting the bonus point they opted to apply pressure through the scrum but in spite of numerous attempts they got no reward. It wasn't until the twenty second minute they were rewarded. Hawkes Bay knocked the ball on providing the Steamers with the perfect opportunity to attack from 22 metres out. Te Aihe Toma picked the ball off the back of the scrum and made the gap to score a superb individual try.

From the restart Hawkes Bay launched their attack through Brad Weber. A smart break by Weber would see him touch down in the corner and Ihia West made no mistake with the boot and converted with ease.

The Hawkes Bay side continue to attack and are awarded after the Steamers are penalised for obstruction. West converts again to take a 10-7 lead into the break.

The Steamers returned from the break and attacked with confidence. The forwards again superb created the platform for the backs to utilise the overlap. With a long ball out wide Lalakai Foketi dotted down in the corner.

Growing in confidence the Steamers continue to pressure Hawkes Bay. Their set piece was proving costly for the home side. The Steamers lineout set up a driving maul to see the forwards drive Solomona Sakalia over the line for their third try.

Again Steamers used their lineout once again and attempted to repeat their earlier try by Sakalia but it was ruled that Hawke's Bay's replacement hooker Ash Dixon was ruled to have been obstructed as Tupe scored. What would have been the bonus point try was ruled out after the TMO looked at it.

However, the Steamers set-piece dominance was where the Steamers won the game. Their much needed bonus point try was awarded from an attempted pushover scrum when referee Paul Williams awarded a penalty try.

With only ten minutes to play it looked certain the Steamers had it secured, but lose forward Henry Stowers was penalised for tackling a player on the ground which resulted in him being sent to the sin-bin. Hawke's Bay took advantage of fourteen on the field and scored two tries in quick concession.

Despite a desperate attack from the home side, the Steamers held on again and survived to secure themselves a Mitre 10 Cup Championship semi-final.

Hawkes Bay: 24 (Brad Weber, Jonah Lowe 2 tries; Ihaia West 3 con, pen)

Bay of Plenty: 26 (Te Aihe Toma, Lalakai Foketi, Solomona Sakalia tries, penalty try; Dan Hollinshead 3 con). HT: 10-7