Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

In recent years, the Steamers have become very adept at contracting players from outside the province – often at bargain basement prices.

One of the great advantages that the Steamers has is that players are keen to come to the Bay to enjoy the laid back lifestyle, especially in the sunshine paradise of the Western Bay of Plenty.

One playing position that the Steamers management has been highly successful in picking up real quality is in the number nine jersey.

Kevin Senio made the All Blacks from behind the Steamers pack and when Kevin was lured to Canterbury, he virtually swapped places with another highly successful Steamers nine in Jamie Nutbrown.

Junior Poluleuligaga was followed last season by another who was unwanted by a heavyweight union when Taniela Moa ran the Steamers backline operations wearing the number nine jersey.

The wheel has turned full circle with Jamie Nutbrown returning home from Wales to play for ‘Our Team' for the next three years.

The real value of having Jamie Nutbrown and Taniela Moa available this year is their mentoring role with the latest young crops of halfbacks, that are currently learning their craft in Baywide premier club rugby.

On Wednesday, Sidline Sid was sidelined (excuse the pun) at the Rotorua International Stadium, where a bunch of promising Baywide club players were given an opportunity to shine on a bigger stage.

The Steamers' continuing search to put together the 2011 Steamers team that will chase glory in the ITM Cup took a further step forward.

A Bay of Plenty XV playing under the BOP Wasps banner took to the field against a Hawke's Bay Saracens selection.

A great example of the emerging young talent that is spread throughout the Bay was provided with the Wilbore twins of Te Amo and Te Hata getting runs of the bench in the second half.

Both youngsters, who are just a couple years out of Opotiki College, are graduates of the Bay of Plenty rugby age group pathway.

Another talented young player who got his chance yesterday was Mount Maunganui's Tutere Waenga.

He has been rock solid in the fullback role for his club this season.

The trial encounter also gave the Bay selectors a chance to see how a number of new recruits to the Bay of Plenty, performed under pressure.

John Stewart, who has impressed for Tauranga Sports grabbed a try, while lock Leighton Price crashed over for a touchdown.

However, the biggest cheers of the afternoon was reserved for wily veteran Jason Spice who has played Super and overseas rugby over the years when he crossed for five points in the last minute of the game.

For the record, the Wasps were beaten 51-28 by a squad that had just returned from a pre-season Australian tour and played a fresh line-up in the second half.

The next opportunity for Baywide Club players to push their case for Steamers or Bay representative honours will come at the BOPRU sub-union series to be played at the Paengaroa Domain, on Monday, June 6 – Queen's Birthday holiday break.

Seeya at the Game