It wasn't pretty but the Hawke's Bay Magpies pipped the Bay of Plenty Steamers 29-28 in their round four Mitre 10 Cup Championship rugby clash at Napier's McLean Park tonight.
Outstanding impact off the subs bench was a key factor as the Magpies won the MacRae-Shelford Bay Cup and established a seven point lead on the points table. Hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes performed well on debut as a replacement for the injured Ben Power while flanker Will Tremain, lock Geoff Cridge and prop Joe Apikotoa, who scored the matchwinning try, also shone off the pine.
The Magpies had first use of a strong wind and opened the scoring in the second minute when winger Jonah Lowe sored off a clever offload from fullback and Clive teammate JJ Taulagi. The Steamers opened their account in the 16th minute when first five-eighth Mike Delaney kicked a penalty from 30 metres out after Magpies blindside flanker Marino Mikaele-Tu'u was ruled to have joined the ruck incorrectly by Taranaki referee Richard Kelly.
Delaney missed a penalty attempt from 40 metres out in the 25th minute but slotted one from 30 metres in the 33rd minute to give the visitors a 6-5 lead. His Magpies counterpart Tiaan Falcon put the hosts back in front with a 35 metre penaltry in the 36th minute after Steamers prop Solomona Sakalia was ruled to be offside.
A minute later Steamers halfback Richard Judd scored with a solo dab from a five metre scrum. Delaney added the extras from wide out and the visitors led 13-8 at halftime.