News

Wellington too strong for Magpies

August 08 2009

Wellington bounced back from a 13-10 half-time deficit to record a 21-13 win over Hawke's Bay in the Air New Zealand Cup on Saturday.

Both teams set their stall out to attack, but neither seemed able to retain the ball long enough to build the necessary momentum. Wellington played the game far better with the boot though and were much better on counter attack - both their tries came from poor Hawke's Bay kicks.

The first half was a pretty poor affair though, with plenty of mistakes and plenty of whistling from referee Garratt Williamson.

Dan Kirkpatrick and Matt Berquist exchanged early penalties, but that was the extent of the scoring for the first half-hour despite the efforts of Magpies' number eight Thomas Waldrom, who was in fine running form.

The deadlock remained until eight minutes before half-time when Hosea Gear finished off a superb break by Tamati Ellison, who threatened every time he had ball in hand, to put the Lions in front.

The full-back glided through flimsy Magpies defence after collecting a poor kick from halfback Eaton then fired a lovely floated pass to Gear who had a simple run in. Kirkpatrick added the extras.

Gear went from hero to zero in a couple of minutes though, killing a ball cynically as Hawke's Bay threatened and earning himself a yellow card.

Berquist slotted the penalty and Hawke's Bay then took full advantage of the extra man when prop Sona Taumalolo bulldozed his way over after several drives at the line by the big Magpies forwards on the stroke of half-time. Berquist slotted the sideline conversion to give the home side a 13-10 lead at the break.

Kirkpatrick landed a penalty and Fa'atonu Fili knocked over a drop goal in the first part of the second half to reverse the scoreline as Wellington tightened the game up.

They should have had a more substantial lead, but Victor Vito was hauled down just short of the line and then Alby Mathewson's pass hit second-five Charlie Ngatai on the head as he bore down on the line.

David Smith ensured the Lions victory with his try seven minutes from the end as he collected Guilford's charged down chip kick, beat a couple of would-be tacklers and sprinted home.

The scorers:

For Hawke's Bay:

Try: Taumalolo

Con: Berquist

Pen: Berquist

For Wellington:

Tries: Gear, Smith

Con: Kirkpatrick

Pens: Kirkpatrick 2

Drop goal: Fili

Hawke's Bay: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Jason Kupa, 13 Jason Shoemark (c), 12 Sam Giddens, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Chris Eaton, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 George Naoupu, 5 Ross Kennedy, 4 Matt Egan, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Sona Taumalolo.

Replacements: Hika Elliot, Josh Keys, Bryn Evans, Michael Johnson, Dane Shelford, Andrew Horrell, Richard Buckman.

Wellington: 15 Tamati Ellison, 14 David Smith, 13 Robert Fruean, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Mathew Luamanu, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jeremy Thrush, 4 Daniel Ramsay, 3 John Schwalger, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Jacob Ellison (c).

Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Api Naikatini,19 Faifili Levave, 20 Ruki Tipuna, 21 Fa'atonu Fili, 22 Buxton Popoalii.

Referee: Garratt Williamson