ITM Cup: BOP Steamers downed in last game of season

The Steamers went up against Waikato last night. Pictured is Steamers player Doug Edwards. Photo / Getty Images

The Bay of Plenty Steamers have capped off a forgettable season with a loss to old foe Waikato in Hamilton.

Going into the match last night, the Steamers still had a slim chance of making the ITM Cup Championship playoffs.

But Waikato killed off any chance the Bay had of rescuing their season, winning the match 29-12 at Waikato Stadium.

It means the Steamers finish the season at the bottom of the ITM Cup Championship with eight losses and two wins.

After dismantling Otago last weekend, the Steamers faithful would have been hopeful for a similar display against Waikato last night.

But as they chased the bonus-point victory, the Steamers struggled to get much rhythm on attack.

Waikato jumped out to a 10-0 lead after a messy first 20 minutes. The Steamers then hit back with a quality try which saw the ball shift through five pairs of hands before Byron McGuigan went in to score.

Needing four tries for the bonus-point win, Steamers captain Culum Retallick threw a loose cut-out pass early in the second half, but it was intercepted by Hame Faiva.

Big hooker Faiva ran 35m to score the intercept try, with Waikato jumping out to a 17-5 lead.

McGuigan picked up his second try of the night shortly after, following a good run by Siaosi Iongi, but Waikato had the last laugh. They scored two more tries to kill off the game and win 29-12.

*Bay of Plenty Steamers 12 (Byron McGuigan 2 tries; Dan Hollinshead con) Waikato 29 (Brad Weber, Hame Faiva, Dylan Collier, Jordan Payne tries; Damian McKenzie 3 con, pen) HT: 5-10.