Franklin scored the opening try after some patient lead-up work, and then first five Fletcher Smith fired a sweet cutout pass to put the prolific Naulia Dawai over for his sixth score of 2016. When Lentjes hustled over off a lineout drive, it was 21-6 and Otago were in the box seat. But Steamers centre Lalakai Foketi and replacement Terence Hepetema crossed and the visitors hung in grimly. Franklin's yellow card, however, did not yield any points for the Steamers in that 10-minute period.
There was some amusement for the crowd when replacement Scott Eade popped the ball with a hefty left-foot clearance late on.
All Blacks loosie Sam Cane subbed on after halftime for Bay of Plenty in just his 19th game for his province. He emerged unscathed, if rusty, in his first run for six weeks following a hamstring injury against the Pumas last month in Hamilton. The Reporoa man should be good to go on the northern tour.
After three consecutive Championship semifinal defeats and some financial struggles, it appears Otago may again be ready to join the big guns of our provincial game.
Otago 27 (Tom Franklin, Naulia Dawai, James Lentjes tries; Fletcher Smith 3 con, pen, Scott Eade pen) Bay of Plenty 20 (Lalakai Foketi, Terence Hepetema tries; Dan Hollinshead con, 2 pen, Te Aihe Toma con) HT: 14-6