Magpies retain the Shield

Israel Dagg signs autographs after the Magpies win over North Harbour at McLean Park tonight. Photograph/Paul Taylor

The Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team took their number of Ranfurly Shield defences in their latest tenure to nine with a 48-27 win against North Harbour at Napier's McLean Park tonight.

This saw Hawke's Bay become the third best union behind Auckland and Canterbury with shield wins. It was particularly special for captain and No 8 Brendon O'Connor and centre Richard Buckman who both scored tries in their 100th first class outings.

The Magpies opened the scoring in the second minute with a 42 metre penalty from first five-eighth Ihaia West after the Harbour backs were ruled to be offside by referee Glen Jackson. Five minutes later West was on target again from 25 metres when the visitors were offside again.

Winger Ryan Tongia scored the first try in the ninth minute after a burst from O'Connor. West slotted the conversion and the Magpies were in front 13-0.

A combination of poor defence from the Magpies and a rare patch of cohesive play from Harbour saw winger Tevita Li score in the 15th minute. The Magpies were fortunate Harbour first five-eighth Daniel Halangahu missed his first three attempts at goal.

Unwanted All Black fullback Israel Dagg put the Magpies ahead 18-5 with his 28th minute try which West converted. Jackson sought the assistance of TMO Bruce Dockary before awarding Harbour second five-eighth Michael Little his 27th minute try.

Halangahu slotted the conversion.

It was a sloppy second quarter from the Magpies and Halangahu had the final say in the first half with a 40th minute penalty to keep his side in the hunt at 20-15.

Buckman's 42nd minute try came from a clever cross kick from West who landed the conversion to maintain his 100 per cent success rate.

O'Connor matched Buckman's feat with his 51st minute try off a clever short pass from lock Mark Abbott. West added the extras.

Three minutes later hooker Ash Dixon scored and West was again on target to have the Magpies ahead 41-15.

Harbour had a sniff when substitute forward Jordan Manihera scored in the 56th minute.
A converted penalty try had the challengers trailing 41-27 with four minutes remaining.

The Magpies had the final say when substitute halfback Chris Eaton scored off a Tongia intercept and West ended his player-of-the-match performance with his eighth success at goal from as many attempts.

Scorers:
Hawke's Bay 48 (Ryan Tongia, Israel Dagg, Richard Buckman, Brendon O'Connor, Ash Dixon, Chris Eaton tries; Ihaia West 6 cons, 2 pens), North Harbour 27 (Tevita Li, Michael Little tries; Daniel Halangahu ). HT: 20-15.