It was always going to be a challenge to stand up to Premiership ITM Cup runners up, Tasman, at home. Nevertheless the Steamers were going down there with all guns blazing.

The Tasman Makos were first to put the points on the board with a try by Liam Squire, which was successfully converted through the boot of Marty Banks.

Photo: File

Discipline from the Makos proved costly with their prop Ross Geldenhuys yeloow-carded, leading to a successful penalty kick from Nick Evemy to reduce the margin to 7 - 3.

The Steamers looked to move the ball wide, trying to make the most of their opportunity with fifteen men on the field compared to Tasman's fourteen. But the Makos defence held up to the Steamers relentless attack at the line.

The Steamers defensive line remained strong, preventing the Makos from scoring on a number of occasions.

But minutes before the halftime whistle blew Makos winger Mitchell Scott scored in the corner from a dominant Tasman scrum. Banks converting again to take the Makos to a 14 – 3 lead at the break.

Following the halftime break, debutant Whaimotu Craft-Chemis came on for the Steamers team, in replace of fullback Craig Clare.

Directly after the restart, Banks converted another penalty to draw the margin out to 17 – 3. But it didn't take long for the Steamers to attack, surging right back into contention when Zak Hohneck scored under the uprights. Evemy successfully converted to close the gap to 17 – 10.

The Steamers gathered momentum following Hohneck's try. They proved to be menacing around the breakdown, the Makos defence started to feel the pressure of the persistent attack.

The Tasman scrum withheld the pressure, resulting in another successful penalty from Banks to take the score to 20 - 10.

Substitutions rolled on from both benches including debutants Aidan Ross and Sabastian Siataga for the Steamers.

The Bay of Plenty side were not going to give up, they continued to frustrate the Makos team forcing handling errors and breaking line on numerous occasions, the Steamers attack looked dangerous. Evemy had the opportunity to reduce the margin to within seven but hooked the kick.

Evemy substituted soon after for first five-eighth Dan Hollinshead. The Steamers closed the gap again through the boot of Hollinshead, reducing the margin to 20-13.

The Steamers had opportunities to score, breaking the Makos line several times, but Tasman's defensive line held.

The Makos turned to attack, resulting in Kieron Fonotia crashing over beside the posts to take the score to 27 – 13. With fulltime looming the Steamers looked to attack again, but a turnover from the home side led to a try from Peter Samu on the fulltime whistle and Banks again converting the side-line conversion to win the game 34 – 13.

The Steamers team certainly showed promise on attack, with solid performances from Chase Tiatia and Caleb Hall.

With the hopeful return of Keepa Mewett, Nathan Harris and Tino Nemani next week the team will no doubt continue to build on their performance, facing Southland on Wednesday and Waikato on Sunday.

Tasman 34 (Liam Squire, Mitchell Scott, Kieran Fonotia, Pete Samu tries; Marty Banks 2 pen, 3 con) Bay of Plenty 13 (Zac Hohneck try; Nick Evemy pen, con, Dan Hollinshead pen). HT: 14-3.