Bay of Plenty continued their winning start to the Mitre 10 Cup season with a 22-17 win over Counties Manukau in Pukekohe on Thursday.
The early championship leaders proved too strong for the struggling Steelers, playing in the higher premiership division.
It was the Steamers' second win of the season, after they beat Taranaki 30-10 last weekend.
The visitors dominated the first half, but only led 10-5 at halftime, with a Chase Tiatia try, and a penalty and conversion from Mike Delany, while Joe Royal scored Counties' only first-half points with a try.
The Steelers hit the lead when Sione Molia went over out wide, but it was short-lived, as Bay of Plenty halfback Richard Judd found the try-line, before Tiatia added a second to extend the lead.
Counties captain Sam Henwood scored late in the match to set up a grandstand finish, but the hosts were unable to find the match-winning try.
Next up for Bay of Plenty are Canterbury next Saturday in Tauranga, while winless Counties play two games next week - first against Taranaki on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Napier to face Hawke's Bay.
Bay of Plenty 22 (Chase Tiatia 2, Richard Judd tries; Mike Delany 2 conversions & penalty) Counties Manukau 17 (Joe Royal, Sione Molia, Sam Henwood tries; Latiume Fosita conversion).
Newshub.
