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The old adage 'it was a game of two halves” couldn't have rung truer at Katikati's Moore Park as the Bay of Plenty Wasps held out a resilient Counties Manukau Cavaliers 29-19.

In one of the final chances to impress the Bay of Plenty Steamers coaching staff, the Wasps players enhanced their credentials thanks to an impressive first half, running in four tries to none.

Bay of Plenty Wasps' wing Jonah Bainavalu looks for a way through the Counties Manukau Cavaliers defence at Katikati's Moore Park. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

On a dry track the intent from both teams was to have a fast paced attacking game with the homes side first to settle into their attack, along with effective ball movement.

Breaking through the Cavaliers defence, this allowed half back Jono Kitto to claim the first points of the match.

Despite losing locks Keepa Mewett to injury and Tim Bond to the sin bin shortly after Kitto's try, it was not going to hinder the Wasps attack.

The Wasps side scored a further 19 unanswered points in the first half; tries to wingers Brynn Uriarau and Jonah Bainavalu, with openside Zak Hohneck driving over the line to finish up the half.

Three out of the four tries were successfully converted by Tauranga Sport's Nick Evemy.

Leading 26-0 at the break, both Steamers coach Clayton McMillan and Counties Manukau coach Tana Umaga made wholesale changes at half time - fortunes were reversed in the second half.

Counties Cavaliers' Cardiff Vaega led the charge dotting over the line early in the second half, with team mate Piers Francis successfully converting. It was the start of the Cavaliers comeback going onto score 19 unanswered points.

However, the Wasps had the final say of the match when they were awarded a penalty out in front. First five Dan Hollinshead successfully converting their only points of the second half.

Bay of Plenty Steamers head coach Clayton McMillan concedes he had the more experienced line up in the first half before fortunes changed in the second 40 minutes.

But he is happy with the hit out, the second in the space of a week, in the lead up to August's ITM Cup.

'That is the nature of pre-season games and it provides us with the information we need to assist us with finalising our team selections,” says McMillan.

The curtain raiser between Katikati College and Taupo-nui-a-Tia College saw both sides effectively utilise their forwards and backs, creating a number of scoring opportunities, which each team capitalised on.

The game came down to the wire with Taupo-nui-a-Tia declining the three points on offer, to win the match, instead opting to drive across the line for a try. Solid defence from Katikati College saw them hold off Taupo-nui-a-Tia's driving maul, denying them of the win; Katikati College victorious in front of a vocal home crowd, winning 26 – 24.

The team will be named mid-July ahead of two ITM Cup pre-season matches against Auckland, July 31 in Whakatane, and Manawatu, August 6 in Tauranga.