Waikato see off H Bay challenge

Waikato’s 11th Ranfurly Shield reign is alive and kicking, with the rejuvenated province dispatching Hawke’s Bay in their first defence in Hamilton last night.

And with their 42-22 victory in front of around 5000 people at FMG Stadium Waikato, the Mooloos have avoided the record of ‘shortest reign ever’, after winning the famous trophy off Taranaki only last Sunday.

Instead, they have left the Magpies with that inglorious title (six days, in 2013), after the visitors were blown away in a six-tries-tothree effort from the red, yellow and blacks, who have now gone to the top of the Mitre 10 Cup championship division with their third win in a row.

They had Sevu Reece to thank for much of their spark, the left winger electric in many attacks, scoring one try and setting up several others, while first five-eighth Fletcher Smith was perfect off the tee, as the hosts built on a 21-15 halftime lead by piling on points in the final quarter.

The challengers started like they meant business, opening the scoring in just the fifth minute via none other than livewire halfback Brad Weber – the man who scored a hat-trick for the Mooloos when they took the Shield off Hawke’s Bay three years ago.

Waikato fought back and established an 11-pointe lead late in the first half before Hawke’s Bay reduced the margin before halftime, with Tom Parsons going over from a driving maul off a lineout to reduce the margin to six points.

Waikato extended their lead around the hour mark. It was more Reece magic which did the trick, with yet another electric bust getting his side in position to strike, before he threatened again close to the line, with Murray Iti eventually the benefactor.

When Smith produced a sensational pickup off his laces and burst through tackles to score in the 67th minute the result was as good as sealed, before Raniera Takarangi completed the hosts’ scoring off the back of a fine run from Adam Burn, who was featuring in his 50th match for the province.

Waikato’s next defence comes against Southland on September 29.

GETTY IMAGES Hawke’s Bay’s Tiaan Falcon runs into the strong defence of Quinn Tupaea during the Ranfurly Shield challenge in Hamilton last night, won by Waikato.