The Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team issued a warning to their remaining Ranfurly Shield challengers this season with today's 39-10 win against Northland at Napier's McLean Park.
Those teams are going to have to combat an impressive rolling maul if they are going to have a sniff at shield glory. Three
of the Magpies six tries were scored off rolling mauls.
The Magpies opened the scoring with a try to flanker Tony Lamborn before the third minute had ticked over. First five-eighth Ihaia West succeeded with the conversion.
A minute earlier prop Brendon Edmonds had been held up over the line.
West extended the Magpies led to 10-0 with a ninth minute penalty.
The 390 Taniwha supporters were on their feet in the 11th minute when halfback Kurt Davies appeared to have scored. However the TMO ruled the ball had been knocked on during the build up.
The Magpies forwards were dominating set piece play and this was a signal to use the rolling maul which led to an 18th-minute try to lock Michael Allardice. West missed the conversion attempt.
Another rolling maul off a lineout drive led to hooker and vice-captain Ash Dixon's try in the 25th minute. West slotted the conversion and the hosts led 22-0.
Northland first five-eighth Dan Hawkins opened the visitors account with a 29th minute penalty.
However their faint hopes of a comeback were dashed when winger Ryan Tongia won the dash to a clever kick ahead from fullback Zac Guildford to give the Magpies a 27-3 lead at halftime.
Lamborn had his second try and the Magpies third off a rolling maul in the 48th minute. Five minutes later Tongia had his second try after a powerful burst from lock Mark Abbott.
West was on target with the conversion from wide out and the Magpies led 39-3.
With numerous sustitutions the Magpies didn't enjoy the same cohesion during the final quarter but they still broke the advantage line with ease. Northland's substitute back Troy Gilbert scored their only try in the 79th minute which Hawkins converted.
The Magpies win could have been bigger had West not missed four of his eight attempts at goal. However his distribution was classy.
Blindside flanker, one of only two non-Super players in the Magpies starting pack, deserved his player-of-the-match award. He scored two tries, was powerful on the charge and devastating on defence.
The injury-ridden Taniwha outfit displayed plenty of ticker. However they will be concerned with their inability to bust the advantage line and the ease in which the Magpies were able to.
Scorers: Hawke's Bay 39 (Tony Lamborn 2, Ryan Tongia 2, Michael Allardice, Ash Dixon tries; Ihaia West 3 cons, pen) Northland 10 (Troy Gilbert try; Dan Hawkins pen, con). HT: 27-3.