Rugby: Ugly but Magpies retain shield

HARD YAKKA: Tony Lamborn tries to break out of an ambush as fellow Magpies Chris Eaton comes in to support during today's Ranfurly Shield match against BOP Steamers in Napier. PHOTO/Paul Taylor

It wasn't pretty but the Hawke's Bay Magpies retained the Ranfurly Shield for the 10th time in their latest tenure with a 23-17 win against the Bay of Plenty Steamers at McLean Park, Napier, today.

"I'm happy to win ugly," Magpies captain Brendon O'Connor said after the sixth round ITM Cup championship encounter.

"The Battle of the Bays is always huge and they brought it to us for the whole 80. We were let down by a lack of discipline in a few areas," O'Connor added.

Although the Magpies led 11-10 at halftime the Steamers were the better side in the first half. The Magpies lacked the necessary intensity levels and made too many errors.

The Steamers opened the scoring with a penalty to first five-eighth Nick Evemy in the second minute. The hosts opened their account with a try to winger Ryan Tongia in the 16th minute.

Referee Ben O'Keefe required the assistance of TMO Mark Johnson before awarding the Steamers their first try to flanker Shahn Eru in the 23rd minute. Evemy slotted the conversion.

Penalties from Magpies pivot Ihaia West in the 34th and 38th minutes gave the hosts the edge. The first came after Steamers openside flanker Zak Hohneck was sinbinned for offside infringing near the posts.

The Magpies, who scored 13 points while Hohneck was in the bin, drew first blood in the second spell when the forwards displayed better cohesion and flanker Tom Stanley scored as the forwards pushed their way over the line in the 43rd minute. West slotted the conversion.

Fellow flanker Tony Lamborn scored the Magpies third try in the 48th minute to give the hosts a 23-10 lead.

Three minutes later Evemy scored a cracker of a solo try which he converted. With this gap it was a nailbiting finish for the home crowd who were relieved to see the Magpies hang on.

They know vast improvement will be required in the next defence against Premiership =outfit Auckland on Thursday night.

Scorers: Hawke's Bay23 (Ryan Tongia, Tom Stanley, Tony Lamborn tries; Ihaia West 2 pens, con) Bay of Plenty 17 (Shahn Eru, Nick Evemy tries; Evemy 2 cons, pen). HT: 11-10.