It's 378 days since since the Steamers smoked an opposition side. They were on fire today, toasting a 21-14 scorcher over a luke-warm North Harbour.

The blue and gold team took to the field in a clash with North Harbour at Rotorua International Stadium this afternoon, improving on their disappointing 29-27 loss against Manawatu in Palmerston North on September 3.

Bay of Plenty Steamers prop Solomona Sakalia looks to run over top of Robbie Robinson. Photo: Rick Moran.

In front of a willing crowd in Rotorua, the Steamers have emerged triumphant 21-14 against North Harbour, with the visitors now nil from four and bottom of the ITM Cup Championship after the first month.

The tourists showed glimpses, but the Steamers were in control in key periods, with their bench making a notable impact as ‘rested' front liners came into the fray late, and tipped the balance.

Tevita Li continued to show his class, the Harbour left wing playing a big part in first half tries to team-mates James Parsons and Greg Pleasants.

The hookers and loosehead props scores came in the 19th and 38th minutes, and were reward for turning around the initial onslaught from the home team's forwards.

At this stage one would have thought that Harbour may have broken away, but Bay of Plenty looked up for the contest.

And soon the hosts began to look better with every passing minute.

Despite their talented backline, the tourists otherwise looked flat, but the Steamers were not in the mood to be charitable as they saw their maiden victory of the 2014 regular season within their grasp.

Bay of Plenty really building a head of 'Steam' here, the bench has really injected something into the home team late.

Hard working Bay of Plenty prop Michael Kainga would cross in the 24th minute, embellished by a conversion and late penalty to Nick Evemy to make it a 14-10 halftime lead to the tourists.

Fullback Leroy Van Dam's try in the 42nd minute was the last five pointer of the contest, with two Evemy goals sealing it for the Bay.

While Harbour threw plenty at the Steamers line, eventually the Bay's efforts were a step up as they took their maiden win of 2014.

The Steamers will have another chance for a home game win when they play in Rotorua again on September 13 against Auckland.

Bay of Plenty 21 Tries: Kainga, Van Dam Cons: Evemy Pens: Evemy (3)

North Harbour 14 Tries: Parsons, Pleasants Cons: McGahan (2)