With ball: Ihaia West, Hawke's Bay Magpies- rugby, with their first win of the season against the Southland Stags. Photo/ Duncan Brown.
A man of the match performance from first five-eighth Ihaia West in his 50th first class appearance for the side propelled the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team to their first Mitre 10 Cup win of the season tonight.
The Premiership Magpies, who had lost their previous five games, beat the
winless and bottom of the table Championship team, Southland Stags, 43-29 in Invercargill.
West scored 16 of the Magpies points with a try, four conversions and a penalty. He also made a try-saving tackle when the Stags were attempting a late comeback which could have earnt them a bonus point.
Southland led 12-10 at halftime despite the Magpies having almost 75 per cent of the possession during the first spell. Gutsy defence and accurate goalkicking from first five-eighth Wharenui Hawera, who landed all four of his penalty attempts at goal, gave the hosts the lead.
However two quick tries during the first four minutes of the second half by the Magpies to captain and hooker Ash Dixon and fullback Matt Garland gave the Magpies a handy 22-12 lead.
