Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Sidline Sid has been in need of cough mixture after the last few Steamers games after cheering himself hoarse as ‘Our Team' has scraped home to victory.

While the Bay of Plenty Steamers are sitting in a similar position to last year on the points table (being in the top five) – the way that they have got there has come from completely different ends of the spectrum.

The standings after four rounds of the last two National Rugby Championships tell the tale of completely contrasting seasons. After four rounds last year, the Bay side were leading the competition with a unbeaten record – while this year the critics had written them off when they were sitting in 11th place, with just a solitary win (over Hawke's Bay) on their ledger card.

It is a long while (if ever) that the Steamers have taken aim on five win in a row. Victory at the top of the South Island on Sunday would surely put the Bay team in the top four.

Like most fanatical sports fans, Sideline Sid always has the good oil on turnarounds in form.

The recent results of four wins in a row, including an historic second consecutive victory over Wellington suggests that there is a lot more depth in the Steamers squad this season.

Last year the Blue and Gold brigade simply ran out of puff with a multitude of injuries and few quality replacements to provide cover. It was a courageous effort to finish in the top half of competition, however, the fact remains that they lost three of their last four games.

This season has given the Steamers' management the luxury of playing all their contracted players, and trying out the different combinations. At the business end of this season, the Steamers are able to put their ‘A' team on the park each week.

What a revelation, one test All Black Lelia Masaga has been since arrival in the Bay of Plenty. While he grabbed his first touchdown of the season in game two against Hawke's Bay – he really got the Steamers' fans attention in the Bay team's first win at home when he stormed over for three tries.

After two months of the ITM Cup, the flying winger is equal at the top of the try scoring stakes table, with Robbie Fruen from Canterbury with eight tries.

It is no coincidence that the revival of the Steamer's fortunes has coincided with the return to the side of Mike Delany. The mercurial first five keeps the opposition guessing, whether with his kicking game that pins team well in their own half, or his jinking attacking runs.

Sixty-six points in just six outings, testifies to the impact that the 2009 All Black has had since his return to injury.

While the formbook would suggest that the Steamers should defeat Tasman this weekend, the big test will come the following weekend at Baypark. Current Ranfurly Shield holders Southland have been outstanding form, and the Steamers will need to be at their best to topple the team from the deep south to stay in contention for a semi-final berth.

However, the Steamers showed last season that the current holders of the ‘Log of Wood' hold little worry, as the beat Wellington and Canterbury, albeit without the Shield on the line.

Seeya at the Steamers Game.