Wellington opened their Mitre 10 Cup campaign with a well deserved 36-26 win against the Hawke's Bay Magpies at Napier's McLean Park tonight.
The Magpies will have to improve big time if they are going to achieve their goal of a semifinal finish in the Premiership. Should the Lions continue to play like they did tonight they will be hard to beat in the Championship.
The Magpies were lucky to keep the Lions scoreless during the first 14 minutes when they missed too many first-up tackles and conceded too many soft penalties. Their scrambling defence was adequate.
Magpies second five-eighth Billy Ropiha opened the scoring with a try in the 18th minute off a clever flick-on pass from first five-eighth Ihaia West who was unable to add the conversion. The try was against the run of play.
Hawke's Bay television match official Bruce Dockary needed a couple of minutes of investigation before awarding the Lions their first try to substitute prop Alex Fidow in the 33rd minute after some powerful pick and go work from the visitors. Fullback Jason Woodward slotted the conversion.
Four minutes later Dockary's services were again required before Magpies No 8 Fa'alemiga Selesele was awarded his try after securing some aerial ball in loose play. West added the conversion and the Magpies led 12-7.
After the halftime siren Dockary was again called into action when Selesele dived over from a five metre scrum. There were no complaints from the Magpies when Dockary correctly ruled the former Samoa Sevens captain was held up.
Two minutes into the second half the Lions close the gap when first five-eighth Jackson Garden-Bachop kicked a penalty from 42 metres out.
Dockary again stayed in contention for "player of the match honours" when he was required to rule on Garden-Bachop's 45th minute try. Garden-Bachop won the chase to some loose ball but was unable to add the extras.
The Magpies were guilty of kicking too much possession away in the third quarter. This assisted Wellington's domination.
Lions blindside flanker Galu Taufale celebrated his debut with a 61st minute try which Garden-Bachop converted. Wellington cemented their win with winger Joe Hill's 65th minute try.
To their credit the Magpies refused to throw the towel in and lock Geoff Cridge scored in the 71st minute. West added the conversion to have the hosts trailing 29-19.
It was appropriate Wellington captain and openside flanker Greg Foe, the player-of-the-match, should put the Lions back in front with a 74th minute try which Garden-Bachop converted.
The Magpies secured a bonus point for four tries when winger Ryan Tongia scored in the 76th minute. West added the extras.
Scorers:
Hawke's Bay Magpies 26 (Billy Ropiha, Fa'alemiga Selesele, Geoff Cridge, Ryan Tongia tries; Ihaia West 3 cons), Wellington Lions 36 (Alex Fidow, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Galu Taufale, Joe Hill, Greg Foe tries; Jason Woodward con; Garden-Bachop 3 cons, pen). HT: HB 12-7.
eet revenge for last year's NPC Championship final loss against Hawke's Bay.