Rugby: Steamers secure semifinal berth at Magpies expense

TRY SCORER: Brad Weber scored one of Hawke's Bay's three trys in tonight's 24-26 loss to Bay of Plenty at McLean Park. PHOTO/DUNCANBROWN

Oh the pain ... the relegated Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team finished their season with a 26-24 loss to Bay of Plenty at Napier's McLean Park tonight.

With two wins and eight losses nobody will argue the hosts didn't deserve to be relegated this year.

The Magpies start mirrored so many of their previous ones this season. Too many missed tackles and dropped balls and four penalties were conceded during the first 10 minutes.
The hosts were lucky the Steamers turned down penalty kicks at goal as they hunted four tries in their quest for five competition points to secure a semifinal berth in the Championship.

Fortunately the Magpies defence kept the Steamers scoreless until the 23rd minute when halfback Te Aihe Toma made a solo 30 metre run to score. First five-eighth Dan Hollinshead added the conversion.

The Magpies looked good with the ball in hand during the second quarter and halfback Brad Weber scored a cracker of a solo try in the 30th minute which pivot Ihaia West converted from wide out to tie the score.

Taranaki referee Paul Williams awarded the Magpies their first penalty in the 34th minute when West was obstructed after putting a kick through and he succeeded with the penalty from in front of the posts and the hosts led 10-7 at halftime.

Superb continuity from the Steamers saw centre Lalakai Foketi score in the 42nd minute. The visitors had their third try eight minutes later when substitute prop Solomona Sakalia scored from a lineout drive.

Hollinshead slotted the conversion from wide out and the Steamers led 19-10. The Magpies dodged a bullet when substitute hooker and captain Ash Dixon successfully appealed for an obstruction call after Steamers No 8 Joe Tupe scored in the 63rd minute.

Bay of Plenty had their bonus point try in the 72nd minute when Williams awarded a suspect penalty try. Hollinshead added the conversion.

The Magpies replied with a try to centre Jonah Lowe which West converted three minutes later. Another Lowe try, which West converted in the 78th minute had the Magpies trailing 26-24 going into the final two minutes.

There wasn't one of those Houdini comeback like the Magpies produced in 2015 but this was 2016 and this wasn't the Magpies year.

Scorers:
Hawke's Bay 24 (Jonah Lowe 2, Brad Weber tries; Ihaia West pen, 3 cons), Bay of Plenty 26 (Te Aihe Toma, Lalakai Foketi, Solomona Sakalia, penalty try tries; Dan Hollinshead 3 cons ). HT: 10-7.