Rugby: Defensive woes prove costly for Magpies again

Magpies captain Ash Dixon again led his troops by example but had every right to be disappointed with the defence. Photo/File

Northland had more to play for and it showed when they beat the Hawke's Bay Magpies 34-7 in their ninth round Mitre 10 Cup Championship rugby match in Whangarei tonight.

The Taniwha started the match in fifth place on the points table but with their bonus point for four tries lept to second place to keep their semifinal hopes alive with one round remaining. The Magpies failed to replicate the improvement displayed in the previous week's 33-30 loss to North Harbour and are now one win and eight losses for the season.

Magpies captain Ash Dixon agreed his troops defence was poor again and they let Northland get away with too much close to the ruck area.

"They had the ball for a lot of the time because we didn't have enough dominant tackles," Dixon said.

The Magpies made a good start and retained possession for eight phases during an early passage of play. However a soft turnover and clever work from former All Black Rene Ranger, playing at centre for the hosts, led to a try to Northland flanker Dan Pryor in the fourth minute. First five-eighth Peter Breen added the conversion and his side led 7-0.

It was a surprise when the Magpies turned down an easy three points in the 11th minute. However the visitors opened their account in the 16th minute when winger Cardiff Vaega won the chase to a clever kick from first five-eighth while the Magpies were under advantage.

West added the extras to tie the score. After missing two penalty attempts Breen slotted one in the 26th minute to give the Taniwha a 10-7 lead.

Northland turned down another easy penalty attempt in the 36th minute but Pryor had his second try from the lineout drive. Breen kicked the conversion to give the hosts a 17-7 halftime lead.

Poor discipline, they were on the wrong end of a 7-5 penalty count and a lack of territory let the Magpies down in the first half. Pryor, fullback Solomon Alaimalo and Breen were all prominent for the Taniwha during the first spell. Captain and hooker Ash Dixon, flanker Tony Lamborn, West and halfback Brad Weber were the pick of the Magpies.

It was disappointing to see the Magpies turn down an easy penalty attempt in the 47th minute. This could have been the start of a momentum shift and could have had the visitors within seven.

Eight minutes later Ranger scored after a clever counter attack from Northland. Substitute pivot Dan Hawkins kicked the conversion and Northland led 24-7.

The Magpies were never going to recover from this deficit. A Hawkins penalty in the 64th minute extended the hosts lead.

To their credit the Magpies never threw the towel in and Vaega was unlucky not to be rewarded with a 69th minute try to Vaega after an intelligent kick ahead from fullback Tiaan Falcon. Vaega knocked the ball on in the process of grounding.

Northland scored what could prove to be a crucial bonus point try in the 79th minute which Hawkins converted.

Scorers:
Northland 34 (Dan Pryor 2, Rene Ranger, Tim Bond tries; Peter Breen 2 cons, pen; Dan Hawkins 2 cons, pen), Hawke's Bay 7 (Cardiff Vaega try; Ihaia Wst con). HT: 17-7.