Rugby: Magpies new kids on premiership block

THE MAN: Former All Black Israel Dagg (left) hugs Ihaia West at McLean Park in Napier. PHOTO/Paul Taylor

Another one of those Ihaia West houdini acts gave the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team the ITM Cup Championship at Napier's McLean Park tonight.

West kicked a conversion from the sideline after winger Mason Emerson had scored in the 76th minute to give the Magpies a 25-24 win over the Wellington Lions. First five-eighth West landed all six of his attempts at goal in the victory.

Wellington deserved their 20-16 halftime lead as they dominated possession and territory.
The Magpies scrum was better in the first half than it was in their semifinal win.

However they lost two of their lineouts.

The Magpies discipline was good in the first half as they only conceded three penalties, six less than the Magpies.

Scorers: Hawke's Bay 26 (Robbie Fruean, Mason Emerson tries; Ihaia West 4 pens, 2 cons) Wellington 25 (Frae Wilson, Cory Jane 2 tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 2 pens, 2 cons). HT: Lions 20-16.