Bay of Plenty rugby league team Bay of Plenty rugby league team The Bay of Plenty rugby league team (also known as the Bay of Plenty Lakers) are a New Zealand rugby league team who represents the Bay of Plenty Rugby League in New Zealand Rugby League competitions. Between 1994 and 1996 they competed in the Lion Red Cup competition, while in 2008 and 2009 they competed in the Bartercard Premiership. The Lion Red Cup team was coached by Neil Joyce and Lawrence Brydon and collected two wooden spoon's, in 1994 and 1995. However, in 1996 they finished fifth, losing the elimination playoff. Notable players included
Bay of Plenty Steamers distinction of being the first side to ever win the NPC when it triumphed in 1976. From the heights of '76 came the depths of 1977 with relegation to the second division, but came straight back up the following year. Fortunes fluctuated until 1991 when defeat by King Country sent the Bay back to Division II where it remained until the 2000 season. The Steamers defeated second division rivals Nelson Bays in a titanic final at the Tauranga Domain in late October 2000, and returned to the top division for the first time in ten years. Bay of Plenty began