The end might be nigh for another disappointing Bay of Plenty ITM Cup CAMPAIGN, but the side's hopes are still high to give fans something to cheer about in their final home match against Otago.

Finals aspirations are well and truly gone yet today's 5.35pm clash at ASB Baypark still leaves the Steamer's final standings destiny in their own hands.

Bay of Plenty Steamers flanker Johan Bardoul with ball in hand against Northland. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Sitting on eight competition points, the Bay boys trail closest rivals Otago by seven points heading into the final two matches of the round robin.

Managing to string together wins today and next week against Waikato, coupled with Otago dropping their remaining two matches, the Bay would ultimately leapfrog the Southern men out of wooden spoon contention.

On the other side Otago are also coming off a defeat, losing 32-24 to Tasman, but can still potentially snatch a late semi-finals berth in the championship division.

Steamers coach Kevin Schuler says it is important the side hits the park with confidence early on so the pressure doesn't begin to mount.

With the season nearing its conclusion, Kevin says it is about the 'young guys” in the side playing ITM Cup and gaining valuable experience.

'We would love to good solid confidence and really strong attack across the park,” he says.

'We know we will put them [Otago] under pressure at set piece time and want to transfer that into scoring some tries out wide with the backs as well.”

He concedes last week's last-gasp loss to Northland at home was a bitter pill to swallow and this week has been about ensuring lightning doesn't strike twice.

With the scores level 27-27 at the 68th minute mark, the two sides looked consigned to taking away equal points from the match before a 79th-minute penalty sunk Bay hearts.

'It was a tight one that game to lose because we had so much dominance across the park,” adds Kevin.

'They [Northland] are a team that don't go away and took their opportunity. A slip up at the end gave them the win and we don't want that to happen against Otago.”

The Steamers versus Otago kicks off at 5.3pm at ASB Baypark.