Rugby: Victory notable marker for Steamers

Tim Bond had a fine game for the Steamers in the dominant win over Otago. Photo / Getty Images

It was a coming of age for the Bay of Plenty Steamers on Saturday.

The 33-16, five tries-to-one, victory over Otago was as comprehensive as the score indicates and the win was a significant marker in the progress of the team.

The players took their collective game to a new level. The confidence on attack and accuracy moving the ball were much improved, and when the going got tough playing into a blustery wind in the second half, the defensive steel shown was outstanding.

The new maturity was most evident in the inside back pairing of halfback Te Aihe Toma, 21, and first-five Dan Hollinshead, 19. Their option-taking was particularly good and both proved resolute defenders.

Hollinshead took the individual honours with an 18-point haul, including two well-taken tries, but he would be the first to praise the efforts of the excellent set piece ball delivered by one of the competition's best forward packs.

Lock Tim Bond had an outstanding allround game in his blazer game, while No8 Carl Axtens had a storming second half. With the Steamers leading 19-16, Axtens showed his athletic ability to break through the Otago line to set Hollinshead away for a decisive moment in the game.

Winger Siaosi Iongi was clearly the crowd favourite with his barnstorming runs and like most of the new players used this season, he now looks comfortable playing at this level.

Bay of Plenty had first use of the gusty wind to jump out to a handy 19-3 lead near halftime, after tries to Hollinshead, hooker Joe Royal and fullback Byron McGuigan.

But Otago sneaked down the touchline to score an 80m runaway in injury time to close the game to 19-10 with the elements behind them for the final 40.

The anxiety levels lifted among the Steamers supporters after Hayden Parker kicked two penalties to make it a three-point ball game, but under pressure the Steamers impressed with how they closed out the match.

Hollinshead's second try was followed by the match-clincher from winger Leroy van Dam, after Bond and prop Ziggy Fisi'ihoi had combined well.

Van Dam showed plenty of skill and determination to beat three defenders, before celebrating with the game's best dive.

Bay of Plenty 33 (Dan Hollinshead 2, Joe Royal, Byron McGuigan, Leroy van Dam tries; Hollinshead 4 con) Otago 16 (Aki Seiuli try; Hayden Parker con, 3 pens).