Nelson set sights on the unbeaten Bay

Second division

Nelson Bays will be hoping to end Hawkes Bay's unbeaten run when they meet in the second division final in Napier on Saturday.

After Hawke's Bay accounted for North Otago 24-18 in Saturday's semifinal, Nelson Bays secured their spot in beating Counties Manukau 41-36 in an entertaining clash at Trafalgar Park in Nelson yesterday.

It was a torrid encounter in which both teams scored five tries, but it was Nelson Bays' ability to withstand Counties' second-half onslaught that eventually got them through.

Halfback Tyson Keats scored a hat-trick in a superb individual effort, including two tries in the first half that helped push Nelson to a healthy 17-3 lead at the break.

However, Counties' injection of substitute prop James Afoa into the line-up after halftime gave their forwards some sting.

First five-eighth Stephen Donald also displayed his attacking talents to spark Counties' first try within a minute of the restart, winger Sosefo Kata regathering his kick ahead to score.

Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu followed him across twice within five minutes to help give Counties the lead at 22-17.

Nelson Bays quickly regained their momentum when prop Daniel Muller surged over to put the home team back in front, with centre Aaron Kimura breaking clear and fending off Sivivatu for another before a 70m intercept by Keats eventually had Nelson Bays well clear again at 41-22 with just nine minutes remaining.

Counties were not done, as tries to Afoa and substitute first five-eighth Simon Porter narrowed the margin to five points as time eventually ran out.

Nelson Bays coach Balie Swart was full of praise for his players, who stood up superbly to a big, physical Counties side.

"It's huge," Swart said of the team's win.

"For us as a union to have a home semifinal and then for the guys to make another step on, and to make the final, is awesome.

"It's a great tribute to the players and it's a great tribute to the union for the effort that they've put in."

Kahu Marfell, Gavin Briggs, Tere Wycliff, Daniel Muller and Mark Bright were outstanding in Nelson Bays' forward effort, with Keats and Kimura the class acts among the backs.

Counties looked strangely lifeless during the first half, but hit back strongly after the break, with Afoa providing the spark up front.

Captain Ramon Lindsay and flanker Kevin Busby were more prominent during the second half.

* North Otago coach Glenn Moore was suprised a television match official was not on duty in Napier on Saturday.

Moore's gallant team were denied what appeared to be a certain try in their six-point loss.

"Our player [winger Scott Mayhew] is confident he got the ball down," Moore said.

One of the fastest players on the field, Mayhew appeared to win the race to the ball and score a try in the 69th minute.

At that stage North Otago were trailing 21-18.

North Harbour referee Greg Watson, with assistance from a touch judge, disallowed the try and ruled a drop-out 22.

"We're a bit gutted," Moore said.

"We gave it 120 per cent and I'm proud of the team.

"I'm sure we would have gone on to the final and competed very well."

North Otago gave Hawke's Bay a fright as the Magpies recorded their 28th consecutive second division win.

The hosts led 7-5 at halftime.

The halftime and fulltime margins reflected the closeness of the game throughout as North Otago, promoted from the third division this season, stretched Hawke's Bay all over the park.

- NZPA

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