The Bay of Plenty Steamers will have to look at better option taking if they are to succeed against Hawke's Bay in next week's Ranfurly Shield challenge.

Crashing to a 32-9 defeat against reigning ITM Cup champions Taranaki in Rotorua last night the Bay were unable to maintain their 6-3 lead at half-time.
Photo: File.

However, the home side turned down three kickable penalties in the first half which could have help give them more momentum going into the second half.

The Bay were chasing their fourth win of the season at the Rotorua International Stadium but could not keep up with Taranaki who put on a near perfect second half performance.

Steamers first-five Dan Hollinshead got his side on the board first with a penalty in the 7^th minute. But Taranaki soon levelled only to see the home side snatch the lead again with another penalty to Hollinshead to take the score out to 6-3.

Taranaki went over for what looked to be the first try but were found to have knocked the ball on by the TMO.

The Bay couldn't take advantage of a high 14 to 8 penalty count against Taranaki, which saw the home side camped inside their opposition's 22 for most of the first half. Taranaki's poor discipline was compounded when flanker Mitchell Crosswell was shown a yellow card for throwing a punch. However, the Bay were unable to make Taranaki pay turning over the ball at crucial times.

Against the run of play, Taranaki almost scored a beautiful try, but they were again foiled by the TMO who ruled a knock on during the 95m attempt. The match stayed at 6-3 in favour of the Steamers at half-time.

After the break Taranaki came out firing and scored a classic forward try from a lineout with flanker Verny Hall crashing over off the back of a rolling maul.

The Bay counter-punched and re-took the lead with a penalty close to the sticks but it wasn't to last long as Taranaki were soon back on the board after opting for a lineout after turning down an easy penalty kick.

They were rewarded for the decision, scoring an almost identical try to Hall when the forwards again drove from a lineout to score this time to no.8 Toa Halafihi.

Taranaki had their tails up after the try and classy fullback Kurt Baker sliced through the line and scored under the posts. Imposing Taranaki centre Seta Tamanivalu secured the bonus point for the visitors when he ran a nice line and found a hole close to the try line scoring his team's fourth try.

The Bay now travel to Napier's McLean Park to take on the Magpies for the shield on September 19, at 2.35pm.

Scorers: Bay of Plenty Steamers 9 (Dan Hollinshead 3 pen) Taranaki 32 (Berny Hall, Toa Halafihi, Kurt Baker, Seta Tamanivalu tries; Cody Rei 3 con, 2 pen) Halftime: 6-3.