West boots soggy Magpies to win
SIX Ihaia West penalties helped Hawke’s Bay knock off Manawatu 30-21 at a soggy Palmerston North yesterday evening.
The Magpies bounced back from an 11-3 halftime deficient after efficiently controlling the ball and territory in the second half. Despite the penalty count being relatively even, most of the Magpies’ were in kicking positions. West nailed seven of his eight kicks, while Otere Black and Sam Malcolm combined for two from seven.
The Magpies exposed the Turbos around the fringes before stretching them out wide. Halfback Chris Eaton and flanker Trent Boswell-Wakefield were particularly dangerous around the sides of the breakdown. GETTY IMAGES
After a torrential downpour an hour before kickoff, parts of CET Arena better resembled a paddling pool and ensured handling would be tough.
But the Turbos’ approach to the game belied the conditions early on. Some slick passing between Black, Nathan Tudreu and Ngani Laumape helped them pick up te early advantage.
Hawke’s Bay heavy infringing at the breakdown proved costly as Black nailed two penalties.
A further penalty set up a 5m lineout and a try to hooker Travis Taylor from the ensuring lineout drive. But the Magpies finally managed to string some phases together.
Turbos halfback Kayne Hammington’s left leg was enough to deny Tolu Fahamokioa a try. The Magpies trotted back to halfway, but there was no video evidence of the ball being grounded.
Hawke’s Bay continued to control the game better in the second half. A pair of West penalties closed the score before lock Mark Abbott barged his way over.
The Turbos hit back as Taylor was again the benefactor of another Turbos maul try. But Hawke’s Bay remained in the driver’s seat.
Robbie Fruean ensured they cashed for their dominance with points after latching onto a loose Jason Emery pass. The only thing keeping the Turbos in the match was their rolling maul. Replacement hooker Tim Cadwallader added his name to the scoresheet after yet another drive.
But more penalties sunk any chance of a late comeback. the ball when hot on attack.
The ball was quickly moved into space on the right wing, then brought inside with almost every Harbour player touching the ball before it was finished off by Tevita Li.
Li got his second try early in the second half, to put Harbour up 25-10, but the Steamers were able to respond quickly with fullback Isaac Te Aute making a big break down the left, then once he gave the ball to winger Monty Ioane, a try was the only outcome.
Tries kept coming quickly with the next again inspired by Duffie, who grabbed a high kick in AFLlike fashion; clearly he learnt a thing or two from those years living in Melbourne playing for the Storm. He flicked it back to a team-mate and Matt Vaega scored moments later.
Then when loosened prop Nic Mayhew went in for the first try of his career in the 55th minute this contest was over.
Henry Stowers was on the end of a pushover try for the Steamers with 10 minutes to go, but it was deserving that after creating two tries, Duffie got his name on the board with Harbour’s next fivepointer.
Joe Royal and Jesse Parete picked up late tries for Bay of Plenty, but there had already been too much damage done by then.