Rugby: Bay side hit back to earn draw

Mason Emerson.

Hurricanes representatives Hugh Renton and Mason Emerson were an inspirational pair as the Hawke's Bay under-18 rugby side drew 24-24 with their Bay of Plenty counterparts in Taupo on Saturday.

Renton had stints at blindside flanker and No8 and his Lindisfarne College teammate Emerson displayed his class in both the wing and fullback positions. Hastings Boys' High School lock Reuben Papuni and Napier Boys' High School centre Caleb Makene were others to impress for the Hawke's Bay side which trailed 17-10 at halftime.

"This was a big improvement from our previous week's win against Manawatu," Hawke's Bay manager Stu Gourdie said.

His troops open their Hurricanes competition with a match against Wellington at Napier's Park Island on Saturday.

The Hawke's Bay under-14s maintained their unbeaten run for the season with a 36-5 win against their Taranaki counterparts in Palmerston North on Saturday. Loosehead prop Jack Vaimoli and openside flanker Robbie Brigham led the Bay pack by example.

Brigham scored 14 of his side's points with a try, three conversions and a penalty. First five-eighth Nikau McGregor and centre Miracle Lolofie operated well in the Bay backline.

Poor defence and positional play were key factors in the Hawke's Bay under-13s 40-17 loss to their Manawatu counterparts in Palmerston North on Saturday.