News

Hawke's Bay run riot in Napier

October 03 2008

Hawke's Bay romped home to a comprehensive 46-12 Air New Zealand Cup win against Bay of Plenty in Napier on Friday, scoring seven tries to nil.

The result means Hawke's Bay finish the regular season in third place.

Southland's earlier defeat by Canterbury means Bay of Plenty will still remain in the top four in fourth place, guaranteeing them a home quarter-final.

A Sam Giddens penalty two minutes into the game gave Hawke's Bay an early lead in balmy conditions at McLean Park.

The Magpies scored their first try after eleven minutes after Israel Dagg, Hika Elliott and Ayden Clarke breached the Steamers' defence. The ball was flicked up to prop Faka Taumalolo who charged fifteen metres to the line. Giddens converted and it was 10-0.

Bay of Plenty gained some territory and Mike Delany capitalised on lapses in discipline by Hawke's Bay to kick penalties after 14, 18 and 25 minutes respectively to reduce the gap to 10-9.

But Hawke's Bay eased the pressure five minutes later with a try to powerful tighthead prop Anthony Perenise just after Taumalolo almost claimed his second try of the match.

With Giddens' coversion, Hawke's Bay were looking at a more comfortable half-time lead until Delany notched up his fourth penalty for Bay of Plenty, and the home team went into the break with an unconvincing 17-12 ahead.

Bay of Plenty dominated territory in the opening stanza of the second spell but it was Hawke's Bay who scored first after a drive from a line-out. Giddens was stopped just short, the ball was moved right and winger Jason Kupa crashed over.

Giddens converted to make it 24-12 fifteen minutes into the second half.

When Hawke's Bay took a tighthead scrum right on the Bay of Plenty line, Karl Lowe strolled over for the hosts' bonus-point try.

Giddens missed the conversion but Hawke's Bay were looking comfortable at 29-12 and all the fight seemed to disappear from the visiting team.

From then on, Hawke's Bay ran at will with three tries in the closing fifteen minutes to replacement openside flanker Pama Petia, centre Jason Shoemark and lock Bryn Evans who scored right on full-time to complete the rout.

The scorers:

For Hawke's Bay:

Tries: Taumalolo, Perenise, Kupa, Lowe, Peti, Shoemark, Evans

Cons: Giddens 3, Dagg

Pens: Giddens

For Bay of Plenty:

Pens: Delany 4

Hawke's Bay: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Jason Kupa, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Sam Giddens, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Aayden Clarke, 9 Danny Lee (c), 8 George Naoupu, 7 Karl Lowe/Pama Petia, 6 Michael Johnson, 5 Bryn Evans, 4 Johan Snyman, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Hikawera Elliot, 1 Faka'anaua Taumalolo.

Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Josh Keys, 18 Matt Egan, 19 Petia/Adam Bradey, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Daniel Waenga, 22 Mark Jackman.

Bay of Plenty: 15 Zar Lawrence, 14 Lance MacDonald, 13 Corey Aporo, 12 Nigel Hunt, 11 Toby Arnold, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Ruki Tipuna, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer (c), 6 Solomon King, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 John Moore, 3 James McGougan, 2 John Pareanga, 1 Joe Savage.

Replacements: 16 Dean Elmiger, 17 Arden David-Perrot, 18 Aidan Kuka, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Josh Hall, 21 Kelly Haimona, 22 Paula Asaeli.

Referee: Steve Walsh

TMO: Bryce Lawrence