Shield holders put seven past Turbos
Three tries in the last seven minutes of the opening half helped the Magpies defeat their former Central Viking partners. By David Long.
HAWKE’S Bay have been successful in their second defence of the Ranfurly Shield, thrashing Manawatu¯ 47-12 at McLean Park yesterday.
It was no real surprise given Manawatu¯ had lost their previous six games this season and now face the prospect of picking up this year’s provincial wooden spoon.
The Turbos hadn’t won the Shield since 1978, so awin would have brought their season back to life and credit to the Peter Russell coached team, for most of the first half, that looked a possibility.
Playing for the shield brought out the best in this Manawatu¯ team, who showed a commitment that hasn’t always been evident in this campaign, and for most of the first half they looked like contenders.
Both teams showed the intent to play attacking rugby early on, but the execution wasn’t flash from either side.
Defensively, the Turbos stood up well to early pressure. They kept their structure, didn’t give Hawke’s Bay any openings and forced mistakes out of the Shield holders.
And they were rewarded for this solid start with a try from second-five James Tofa in the 18th minute, managing to score in the left corner, despite Lincoln McClutchie’s efforts to drag him out of play.
But the Magpies responded when a great kick from Lincoln McClutchie caught out the flat Manawatu¯ defence standing on their 22.
While they were ball watching, the Magpies’ secondfive set up a try for Danny Toala.
Eight minutes before halftime Magpies fullback Caleb Makene broke through the Turbos defence Some quick passes and recycling of the ball resulted in Devan Flanders getting their second try.
Manawatu¯ responded quickly with another try when Nehe
Milner-Skudder did the hard work with a side step and an offload, before setting up amove finished off by Ben Wyness.
Then just as the scoreboard operator would have returned to
his seat, Hawke’s Bay scored again, with Makane running in.
Before the hooter sounded, Magpies flanker Brendon O’Connor landed the killer blow with a solo try, going 30m from a lineout for a 28-12 lead at the interval.
All the good work the Turbos did earlier on ended up counting for little as the defensive lapses at the end of the half ended their challenge.
It was the third try in seven minutes for the Magpies and helped give them a 28-12 lead at the interval
All the good work the Turbos did earlier on ended up counting for little. Whether fitness was an issue or something else, but the defensive lapses at the end of the half, endedManawatu¯’s challenge.
After a flurry of tries at the end of the first period, it took 26 minutes of the second half for the next points to come.
Turbos replacement Tietie Tuimauga was sin-binned for infringements close to their line, and from a subsequent lineout, Ash Dixon crashed over.
Neria Fomai and Isaia Walker-Leawere picked up the Magpies’ final two tries to give the scoreline a one-sided look as, once again, the Turbos faded late in a half.
Hawke’s Bay’s next challenge will come from Wellington on November 8.
If the Magpies win that, they’ll be able to lock away the shield for the summer.