In a game which neither side could get any domination, Otago had the territory when it mattered and kept Bay of Plenty out of getting its nose in front at the end.
Otago may have been playing its third game in 11 days but it actually ended the game the stronger and snuffed out any hopes the home team had of getting its first win of the season.
Bay of Plenty went ahead with quarter of an hour to go, when centre Lalaki Foketi went over for his third try after Bay of Plenty had rumbled the ball up through its forwards.
But it could not control the ball from the kick off and Otago eventually won a penalty.
Replacement first five-eighth Fletcher Smith coolly walked forward and slotted the kick to give his side back the lead.
Otago had 10 minutes to keep out Bay of Plenty and for that period looked its most composed of the match.
The side defended strongly and put the pressure on the Bay of Plenty ball carriers who could not hold on to the ball.
Otago had trailed 24-19 at the break but enjoyed a better second half.
Flanker Lee Allan scored a nice try after some good work from the forwards.
The pack ran the ball up well with nice passing between them.
It then went to the right and then back left, where Allan found himself on the flank and scored untouched.
Scott Eade had already kicked a dropped goal to keep his side close in what was at times a scrappy contest.
The new rules around the breakdown may be winning applause from some watchers but it is hard to see why.
The breakdown has become a mess and as soon as the defending team starts to contest it usually ends in a penalty.
Throw in an overly liberal offside line from referee Cam Stone and it was little wonder there were not many line breaks yesterday.
Otago started very brightly, when fullback Michael Collins scored in the fifth minute.
Tei Walden ran on to a chip kick from Eade and winger Mitchell Scott then drew the last man to release Collins.
Scott then got on the scoreboard following a nice run from Walden.
No8 Naulia Dawai scored his side’s third try of the half, from rolling maul following a lineout.But in between, the home side got in on the action with three tries of its own.
Best for Otago were locks Franklin and Josh Dickson, while Adam Knight and Allan were busy in their return to the blue and gold jersey.
Collins did some good things at the back and showed a nice pair of hands, while Walden ran to the line well.
Otago v Bay of Plenty
The scores
Otago 33
Michael Collins, Mitchell Scott, Naulia Dawai, Lee Allan tries; Scott Eade 2 con, d-goal; Fletcher Smith 2 pen
Bay of Plenty 32
Lalaki Foketi 3, Siegfied Fisi’ihoi tries; Kelly Haimona 3 con, 2 pen
Halftime: 24-19 Bay of Plenty