The Bay of Plenty Steamers returned to the Tauranga Domain as they hunted for their first win of the season in a thrilling match against Otago.

Four minutes into the game Otago's slick backline fed the ball wide out to Michael Collins, who dove over the line to touch down in the corner for their first try.

Otago won by one point at Tauranga Domain yesterday. Photo: Chris Callinan.

The Steamers were next to score from broken play Regan Ware swooped onto the ball at speed and broke infield before an outstanding offload to Lalakai Foketi to score out wide.

The Steamers attack appeared to be on point, playing under referee advantage it looked likely the Steamers were in again.

But it wasn't to be after the TMO ruled no try, the Steamers returned to the penalty and Kelly Haimona converted with ease.

It wouldn't take long for Otago to respond this time through Mitchell Scott. In a sea saw affair, the Steamers responded quickly.

Haimona placed a cleaver chip into the goalmouth for Foketi to touch down for his second try of the match to hold a 17-12 lead.

Following a penalty kick, an Otago lineout saw their Number 8 Naulia Dawai score off the back of a driving maul.

Four minutes later, Steamers flanker Jesse Parete ran around the front of the lineout and popped the ball back to prop Siegfried Fisi'ihoi to drive low over the line through the Otago defence for another TMO confirmed try.

The Steamers went into the break with a 24-19 half-time lead.

The teams returned to the field and again Otago were first to score, this time by a Scott Eade drop goal.

Shortly after Eade was substituted Fletcher Smith landed a penalty goal to reclaim the lead in the 51st minute.

Again Otago struck from their own half creating the chance out wide where flanker Lee Allen ended with the try that gave Otago a 30-24 lead.

The Steamers struck back yet again with some impressive breakdown work which was boosted by the introduction of a number of substitutions.

Terrific team work and timely passing, led to Foketi scoring his hat-trick. But he was to leave the field with an ankle injury following his impressive performance.

It was a converted penalty on the seventh minute by Otago's replacement first five-eighth Fletcher Smith that cemented the difference between the two sides.

Otago winning 33-32 over the Bay of Plenty Steamers.

Earlier in the Farah Palmer Cup curtain raiser, Counties Manukau Heat produced a winning performance over a determined young Bay of Plenty Volcanix's side claiming a 45-12 victory.

The Steamers will face Northland at Rotorua's International Stadium this coming Friday 9 September.

Tickets are available online for all Steamers Mitre 10 Cup home games at www.boprugby.co.nz or www.ticketmaster.co.nz.

Alternatively tickets can be purchased from the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union offices or any ticketmaster outlet for all home games.

Bay of Plenty 32 (Lalakai Foketi 3, Seigfried Fisi'ihoi tries; Kelly Haimona 3 con, 2 pen)

Otago 33 (Mitchell Scott, Michael Collins, Naulia Dawai, Lee Allan tries; Scott Eade 2 con, dropped goal; Fletcher Smith 2 pen). HT: 24-19