Defending champions Hawkes Bay cruised into their fourth consecutive second division final with a 41-20 win over Counties Manukau in Napier yesterday. The Magpies play Nelson Bays in Nelson on Saturday.
Hawkes Bay showed the benefits of last weekend's wake-up call, a 32-34 loss to Nelson Bays, their only defeat intheir past 38 second division matches.
They started better, were more cohesive on attack and produced some outstanding defence.
They were guilty of going off the boil in the final eight minutes after establishing a 41-13 lead, with their minds seemingly already switched to the final.
Experienced No 8 Mutu Ngarimu and captain and blindside flanker Michael Johnson were both prominent in the Magpies' forward effort.
Their scrum was a step up from last week and loosehead prop Clint Newland grabbed his seventh try of the season when he opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Fullback Cory Jane scored two tries.
Johnson said it was just the tough match they needed before the trip to Nelson.
Counties-Manukau coach Mark Carter said his side had spilled far too much ball.
"We applied pressure but didn't score. Hawkes Bay capitalised on 80 per cent of their opportunities.
"When our winger Opeta Lafotasi lost the ball forward over the try line in the final minute that summed up our season."
Nelson Bays scored four tries to two to beat North Otago 32-15 in Nelson and maintain their record as the only unbeaten team in all three divisions this year.
North Otago captain Mike Mavor blamed a heavy penalty count against his team for their demise.
"We just gave away too many penalties - you can't win in those sorts of circumstances."
Nelson Bays captain Gavin Briggs said the pride and passion involved with playing at home had a major role in their win.
"We played it up the middle first and let the ball go wide later - we had the three-quarters who could score."
