Hawkins upsets Hawke's Bay

 

His chance came after replacement lock Michael Stolberg was driven over in the corner from one of several pick and goes the home team mounted after the final siren had gone.

 

Hawke's Bay conceded three penalties and they lost a player to the sin-bin as Northland capitalised to score and secure at least the draw.

 

But Hawkins, who had a relatively quiet night, stepped up and made no mistake with the heavy ball to snatch a win from the Ranfurly Shield holders.

 

It may have been miserably wet with players splashing their way around the ground, but the Hawke's Bay maestro Ihaia West was able to show some deft touches, especially with intelligent kicking, that made light of the conditions.

 

*Earlier in the week, Manawatu won a thriller against the Bay of Plenty with a 29-27 win in Palmerston North to kick off the fourth round of the NPC Cup.

In what was something of a seesaw match, both sides showed promising signs throughout an absorbing contest.

 

Bay of Plenty held the early lead thanks the team’s second try via captain Culum Retallick, making it 12-9 after 24 minutes.

 

However while the touring outfit had the better of early battles, the Turbos would show some verve when coming back into the game.

 

*Adittionally, Canterbury, the NPC champions, have held off a remarkable effort from Otago to win 23-16 at Forsyth Barr Stadium to maintain their lead in the 2014 competition.

 

It was a tough result for an Otago team that dominated in the first half, with the hosts holding a 13-10 halftime lead, a score line that was pushed out with Nasi Manu’s try in the 39th minute of the first half.

 

The blue and golds played pitch perfect tactics in the opening 40 minutes, and the title holders, so impressive so far in the season, were made to look oddly vulnerable.

 

Canterbury, who faced their toughest challenge with the seven point win, a big difference from some of their romping victories in the first three weeks, were ultimately able to show their championship quality with a revival against a very good home outfit.

 

Eventually the red and blacks would become the first team in the 2014 season, either in the Premiership and Championship, to come from behind from halftime to win the match.

 

*Finally, on Friday, Tasman prop Siua Halanukonuka stole a 23-16 win over Waikato for his side right on the full-time buzzer in Nelson.

 

Twenty phases were strung together in a succession of powerful surges at the line by the home side who showed some of the patience they lacked earlier in the game.

 

The scores were locked at 16-16 in the final quarter after Waikato had come back from 3-16 down.

 

Intent was demonstrated by both sides as they moved the ball around in calm conditions at Trafalgar Park in an entertaining game. Waikato surprised the home team by dominating position for much of the game.

 

Tasman didn't help themselves by some untidy play around rucks and mauls and by making unnecessary passes under pressure.

 

 

 

Tries: Pryor, Stolberg

Cons: Hawkins 2

Pens: Hawkins 3

 

Tries: O'Connor, Tongia 

Con: West

Pens: West, Berquist 

 

 

Tries: Nathan Tudreu, Newton Tudreu, Kirikiri

Con: Black

Pens: Black 4

 

Tries: Fisiihoi, Retallick, Kainga, Royal

Cons: Hollinshead, Toma

Pen: McGuigan

 

 

Try: Spence

Con: Parker

Pens: Parker 3

 

Tries: Manu, Thompson

Cons: Mo’unga 2

Pens: Mo’unga 3

 

 

Tries: Malneek, Halanukonuka

Cons: Banks 2

Pens: Banks 3

 

Try: O'Donnell

Con: McKenzie 

Pens: McKenzie 3