Rugby: Saracens run in six tries against the Bush

Slippery Customer: Hawke's Bay Saracens first five-eighth Ash Robinson scampers away from the Wairarapa Bush defence during today's win. Photo/Paul Taylor

Difficult underfoot conditions at Napier's Park Island made things tough for the Hawke's Bay Saracens rugby team during today's 40-7 win against Wairarapa Bush.

While they did well to run in six tries they were unable to change out of second gear. This played into the hands of the visitors particularly when they were on defence for long periods like during the second quarter when they kept the Saracens, a selection of players from the Magpies wider training group, scorless during the second quarter.

"It was frustrating. The boys would go to step and slip over. You've got to adjust to that and they will be able to take some learnings from that," Saracens co-coach and Magpies assistant coach Mark Ozich said.

The Saracens led 21-0 at halftime. Taradale hooker Nick Hyde scored from a lineout drive in the fifth minute and Tamatea first five-eighth Ash Robinson-Bartlett kicked the conversion.

Three minutes later Napier Technical fullback and All Black Sevens rep Tamati Samuels scored after busy Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports centre Hayden Hann sliced through the defence and made a clever unload.

Robinson-Bartlett added the conversion. The 16th minute saw Robinson-Bartlett score after a rilliant counter attack sparked by Samuels after the Bush were hammering the Saracens line. Robinson-Bartlett again slotted the conversion.

The second half was six minutes old when powerful Hastings Rugby and Sports prop Paulo Nu'u scored after another drive from the Saracens pack. Robinson-Bartlett again added the extras.

Wairarapa Bush's defence was again admirable for the next 20 minutes. The visitors also scored a well deserved try in the 65th minute to substitute fullback Epeli Rayaqayaqa in the 65th minute when he scampered away from a lineout drive and beat the cover defence.
Substitute back Tipene Haira kicked the conversion.

Substitute winger Tom Iosefo from the MAC club scored the Saracens second second half try in the 69th minute and substitute first five-eighth Tianua Poto from the Clive club succeeded with the conversion from wide out.

Substitute winger Dan McIntyre from the Taradale club scored the final try of the game in the 76th minute.

"I'm pretty happy with how competitive we were in our first hit out. The Bay have put more than 50 points on us in recent games so that decision to take our players out of club rugby on Saturday paid off," Wairarapa Bush head coach Joe Harwood said afterwards.

Several of his players including two 18-year-olds, substitute hooker Ryan Hargood and substitute halfback Bryan Arnold, were playing their first games for the Bush.

"We've still got plenthy of work ons particularly at the break down and around strengthening our set piece play. There's a bit more improvement to come but I was happy with the impact off the bench.

All of the Saracens deserve praise for the effort they put in. Considering at least 27 players including the Bay's Super Rugby contingent were unavailable for the match there is plenty of depth in the Bay again this season.

Scorers:
Hawke's Bay Saracens 40 (Ash Robinson-Bartlett, Nick Hyde, Paullo Nu'u, Tamati Samuels, Tom Iosefo, Dan McIntyre tries; Robinson-Bartlett 4, Tianua Poto cons), Wairarapa Bush 7 (Epeli Rayaqayaqa try; Tipene Haira con). HT: 21-0.