Media Release - 19 July 2010

Last Fridays win against longtime rivals Hawkes Bay has been quickly put away, as the Bay of Plenty Steamers focus on their third (and last) ITM Cup preparatory match this Friday (23 July 2010).

This week’s game against Taranaki at Rugby Park in Whakatane, is continuing the BOPRU philosophy of taking the Steamers to the wider Bay of Plenty community, and to make the Bay flagship representatives as assessable as possible. The match in the Eastern Bay follows on from the Steamers first season hitout against Manawatu, that took place at the Reporoa Rugby Club, in the extremities of the Bay of Plenty

While two from two wins sit on the Steamers pre-season ledger card, a major objective set by Head Coach Sean Horan has been to give to the various combinations in his team, solid workouts.

During the ITM Cup season there will be a number of games that are up for grabs throughout the encounter. A accurate goal kicker can be the difference between victory and defeat - with the Steamers already looking to have several options in their kicking ranks.

Former Hawkes Bay player Dan Waenga has shown in the two preparatory games that he can kick with pinpoint accuracy. Another to showcase his kicking skills has been utility back Nick McCashin, who added two from two conversions in the Manawatu match.

The addition of many passionate Steamers fans from the Western Bay and Rotorua, to the large number Eastern Bay Steamers supporters, should ensure the biggest crowd seen at Rugby Park for a number of years.

2010 Bay of Plenty Steamers Pre-Season Games
23 (Friday) July v Taranaki at Rugby Park, Whakatane – 3pm

2010 BOP Steamers Pre-Season Results
BOP Steamers 35 (Chad Tuoro, Grant McQuoid, Ben Smith, Phil Burleigh, Lance MacDonald; Dan Waenga 3 cons, Nick McCashin 2 con) Manawatu 10

BOP Steamers 44 (Lance MacDonald 2, Toby Arnold 2, Luke Andrews, Ben Smith, Josh Hohneck tries; Dan Waenga 3 cons pen) Hawkes Bay 34

For Further Information Contact
Ross Everiss Bay of Plenty Steamers Manager
0274 487 013