Defending champions Hawke's Bay struggled in their opening NPC second division rugby match of the season before seeing off East Coast 27-20 here today.
After trailing 12-15 at halftime Hawke's Bay emerged with a tight victory over a side they beat 85-12 last season.
Fullback Tim Manawatu scored the first of his
two tries for Hawke's Bay in the 10th minute.
Seven minutes later first five-eighth Kahu Tamatea, who had an impressive first spell for East Coast, kicked a penalty.
East Coast gained the lead in the 24th minute when Tamatea produced a clever pass to put winger Koro Ngarimu over for a try.
Three minutes later East Coast extended their lead when centre Tyrone Delamere scored after a strong run from promising winger Rocky Havali.
Tamatea added the conversion and East Coast led 15-5.
Hawke's Bay centre Colin Bourke, 18, gave the halftime score some respectability when he produced an individual effort to score in the 38th minute beside the posts to leave himself an easy conversion.
Hawke's Bay finally regained the lead when Manawatu scored his second try in the 44th minute.
There was no further scoring until the 60th minute when replacement winger Ben Trew scored from a clever Bourke pass and Bourke kicked his second conversion.
Lively East Coast fullback Doone Harrison set up the close finish when he scored in the 74th minute after Trew failed to force a 22m drop out.
Bourke had the final say with a penalty right on fulltime.
Experienced halfback and captain Donovan Hall was the best of Hawke's Bay team.
Flanker Glen Varcoe and prop Tom Symes also enjoyed dominant patches in the home side's pack who were outplayed for long periods by East Coast.
Flanker Paul Symes impressed with his defensive workrate for an East Coast side who appear ready to erase memories of their disappointing 2002 season which saw them record just two NPC victories.
Hawke's Bay 27 (Tim Manawatu 2, Colin Bourke, Ben Trew tries; Bourke pen, 2 con) East Coast 20 (Koro Ngarimu, Tyrone Delamere, Doone Harrison tries; Kahu Tamatea pen, con). Halftime: 12-15.
- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
