Rugby: Hawke's Bay beat Bay of Plenty in Battle of the Bays

Brad Weber of Hawke's Bay celebrates a try. Photo / Getty

Hawke's Bay 29
Bay of Plenty 28

Hawke's Bay had their work cut out for them in the Battle of the Bays.

The Magpies had to deal with a steaming Bay of Plenty side looking to get back on track after a loss last week, but, in a pulsating encounter, Hawke's Bay found their way home, claiming a 29-28 win.

It was a day for the halfbacks, with both Brad Weber and Richard Judd scoring two tries, but the Magpies simply outlasted Bay of Plenty, who gave up a try to reserve prop Joe Apikotoa in the final 90 seconds to fall by a solitary point.

Hawke's Bay were forced to find their way back into the match three times in the 80 minutes, as Bay of Plenty looked to get one over on the Championship leaders.

Magpies winger Jonah Lowe opened the scoring inside five minutes in Napier, but the hosts went into the break down 13-8. Weber's double in quick time early in the second half put the hosts back in the lead, but tries to Judd and Mike Delany put the visitors back ahead.

When Delany slotted a penalty to put his side ahead by six points with 10 minutes remaining, Bay of Plenty looked set to wrap the match up. Instead, they were left dumbfounded as to how they could allow Apikotoa to barge his way over the line from close range near the sticks; an easy conversion for Tiaan Falcon clinching the win.

Hawke's Bay remain at the top of the Championship ladder with the win – moving seven points clear of Otago in second.

Southland remain anchored to the bottom of the ladder without a win, after being decimated 43-26 by Counties Manukau in the earlier match in Invercargill.

The hosts started the match in the best way possible, building a 14-0 lead within 22 minutes. It wasn't enough of a headstart however, as Counties Manukau kicked into gear around the 25 minute mark, scoring six tries before Southland were able to get back across the line.

Hawke's Bay 29 (Brad Weber 2, Joe Apikotoa, Jonah Lowe tries; Tiaan Falcon 3 cons, pen)
Bay of Plenty 28 (Richard Judd 2, Mike Delany tries; Delany 2 cons; 3 pens).
HT: 8-13

Counties Manukau 43 (Fotu Lokotui, Luteru Laulala, Te Aihe Toma, Nigel Ah Wong, Joe Royal, Cardiff Vaega tries; Latiume Fosita 4 cons, Laulaua con, pen)
Southland 26 (Bill Fukofuka, Morgan Mitchell, Lewis Ormond, Nico Costa tries; James Wilson 3 cons)
HT: 19-14