Hawkes Bay lead now seven

Visitors Hawkes Bay held off a late Wanganui charge to continue their second division dominance.

The Magpies led 32-7 at the break, but the home side fought back with three second-half tries to close the gap to 32-28.

Star of the match was 19-year-old former Buller fullback Tim Manawatu, who scored 22 points for Hawkes Bay - two tries, a penalty, a dropped goal and three conversions.

Hawkes Bay collected a maximum of five points for a sixth time this season to build a seven-point buffer over East Coast at the top of the table.

Wanganui also scored four tries and their big finish earned them two bonus points to remain five points clear of bottom-placed King Country.

In the battle of two top-four sides in Palmerston North, Manawatu bravely scrambled their way to a nerve-tingling 25-22 win over Nelson Bays.

The home team had to hold out for the last 25 minutes into a strong wind with only 14 men after former Taranaki No 8 Darryl Fale was ordered off.

The result left Manawatu third on the table, a point adrift of East Coast, while Nelson Bays round out the top four.

There were some sombre souls at King Country's home base at Te Kuiti after Mid-Canterbury left with a 37-24 win.

The province of All Blacks legend Colin Meads, who were in the first division little more than 10 years ago, were left contemplating their first taste of third division rugby.

Marlborough's semifinal hopes took a dive when Thames Valley moved out of relegation territory with a 46-36 victory.

In the third division, North Otago continued their charge towards their first title as Buller lost their unbeaten record.

North Otago claimed the outright lead for the first time this season with a 67-0 thumping of West Coast in Greymouth, the home side's fifth consecutive loss.

North Otago's nine-try performance took them to 18 competition points, two clear of Poverty Bay and four in front of Buller.

South Canterbury round out the top four, a point behind Buller.

In Westport, Buller had their three-match winning streak halted by South Canterbury, who dominated possession in their 21-9 win after trailing 9-8 at halftime.

Poverty Bay ensured their semifinal place with a 28-21 victory over Wairarapa-Bush in Gisborne.

- NZPA