Magpies close in on quarters
Hawke’s Bay have secured the result they required to put one foot in the NPC quarter-finals — and likely end a golden run for Tasman.
The Magpies mastered the wet weather in Napier last night to earn a bonus-point victory and climb to fourth in their conference. That puts all the pressure on Otago, who have to record the same result against Canterbury tonight — anything less, and Hawke’s Bay will seize a playoff spot.
Tasman have claimed two titles while reaching five of the last six finals but that run looks done. They are fourth in their conference but will be overtaken if Northland beat winless Manawatu¯ at home tomorrow.
The Mako have only themselves to blame after falling to their sixth loss in 10 games, though Hawke’s Bay deserve credit. The hosts could have had revenge on their minds after seeing their 2021 season ended by Tasman in the semifinals but this victory was more clinical than emotive.
It was built, like many of their wins, on an effective set piece, with their lineout leading to three tries in the first half. The first was scored in the opening moments by Tyrone Thompson, capitalising on the decision to kick for the corner with yet another rolling-maul try.
The second looked like it would come in similar fashion but, with the drive stopped short of the line, Danny Toala dinked a cross-kick for Neria Fomai to collect and cross. And the third, coming after the Mako had hit back through a lightning-quick attack down the left finished by Noah Hotham, saw Marino Mikaele-Tu’u make it 17-10 on the stroke of halftime.
Tasman at least fought the setpiece battle to a draw in the second spell, though that rarely threatened to change the outcome. Formai’s second try put the hosts in total control and, despite the Mako enjoying plenty of possession, the Hawke’s Bay defence held firm until Viliami Napa’a scored a late consolation.
Hawke’s Bay 25 (Tyrone Thompson, Neria Fomai 2, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u tries; Lincoln McClutchie con, pen) Tasman 17 (Noah Hotham, Viliami Napa’a tries; Taine Robinson con, pen, Willy Havili con) Halftime: 17-10