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.