Hawke's Bay took a while to get into gear but it found some cruise control to run all over Otago at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.
The visiting team won 39-22 in a game it won when it scored 22 points in just over 10 minutes.
TheMagpies were up 10-5 at the break and Otago looked to be right in the contest and it nearly scored early in the second half but had to settled for a penalty.
Otago dropped the resulting kick-off and Hawke's Bay then set about scoring four tries inside 12 minutes.
All Black fullback Israel Dagg helped himself to a hat trick of tries and generally looked good in all he did without lighting up the game.
Hawke's Bay then just kept up the pressure for the game and it looks as though it and Wellington will be fighting it out for promotion to the premiership.
Otago tried hard but it is a young team prone to errors and this will not be the last loss of the season it suffers.
The first half had plenty of movement but not a lot of accuracy from both teams.
Hawkes Bay had the weight of possession but dropped too much ball while Otago sniffed out a couple of chances but lacked the polish to finish.
The home team did score a nice try in the opening period, when its backs found some room on the outside of the backlline and winger Tony Ensor went over.
Hawke's Bay's only try of the first half came from lock Michael Allardice, who scored from a lineout 5m out when Otago did not engage with the rolling maul.
Hawke's Bay 39 (Israel Dagg 3, Michael Allardice, Richard Buckman, Ihaia West tries; West 2 con pen, Dagg con) Otago 22 (Tony Ensor, Michael Collins, Josh Dickson tries; Fletcher Smith 2 con, pen) Halftime: 10-5 Hawke's Bay
