News

Hawke's Bay rampant in Blenheim

August 23 2008

Hawke's Bay were in scintillating form as they recorded a 41-6 victory over Tasman in the Air New Zealand Cup at Lansdowne Park on Saturday.

From the outset the impressive Magpies side demonstrated their class with an opening period of possession resulting in a long-range drop-goal from fly-half Matt Berquist.

However, Tasman were handed an opportunity to respond soon after and duly obliged when opposing pivot Miah Nikora landed a levelling penalty before the floodgates opened.

The first came through Hawke's Bay centre Jason Shoemark, who read a scripted play and intercepted the wide ball before racing 30 metres to score with Berquist converting.

Then the Magpies utilised their own ball with a backline move down the left seeing wing Jason Kupa cross for their second score as things began to look ominous.

The growing lead was then increased further when Berquist kicked another penalty after scrum-half Danny Lee was taken out in an illegal tackle by Tasman prop Ben May.

However, a worrying-looking injury to Hawke's Bay centre Daniel Waenga caused a stoppage, which may have been deemed welcome time to reflect for the shell-shocked visitors.

But it was the Magpies who continued where they left off as an intelligent Berquist grubber was collected by wing Zac Guildford who touched down under the poles.

Tasman did manage another penalty before the break to bring the scores to 27-6, but one couldn't see anything other than normal service resumed as the two outfits returned.

And Hawke's Bay took just six minutes to cross again following the break when a clinical move off the scrum saw number eight George Naoupu power over.

Even with home prop Fakaanaua Taumalolo sin-binned shortly after that try for hands in the ruck, Tasman still found it tough to turn the tide.

The impressive Guildford then added to the procession as he claimed his own brace on 63 minutes after racing down the short-side to compound their visitors' woes.

The scorers:

For Tasman:

Pen: Nikora, Goodman

For Hawke's Bay:

Tries: Guildford 2, Shoemark, Kupa, Naoupu

Con: Berquist 5

Pen: Berquist

Drop: Berquist

Tasman: 15 Robbie Malneek, 14 Blair Cook, 13 Andrew Goodman (c), 12 Joel Iggo, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Miah Nikora, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Mark Bright, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Jonathan Poff, 5 Alex Ainley, 4 Will Crutchley, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Dan Perrin, 1 Ben May.

Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Tristan Moran, 18 Joe Wheeler, 19 Glen Gregory, 20 Lua Vailoaloa, 21 Mike Pehi, 22 James Marshall.

Hawke's Bay: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Jason Kupa, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Daniel Waenga, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Danny Lee (c), 8 George Naoupu, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Michael Johnson, 5 Bryn Evans, 4 Matt Egan, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Hikawera Elliot, 1 Faka'anaua Taumalolo.

Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Josh Keys, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Adam Bradey, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Sam Giddens, 22 Mark Jackman.

Referee: Kelvin Deaker

TMO: Steve Walsh