Rugby: Hawkes Bay keep playoff hopes alive

Jason Kupa of Hawkes Bay attacks during his side's 34-17 win over North Harbour at North Harbour Stadium, Albany.

Hawke's Bay kept their playoffs hopes alive by beating North Harbour 34-17 in an Air NZ Cup rugby match at Albany

The five-try win was Hawke's Bay's third of the season and they will be hoping to build momentum off it to make the semifinals for a third successive year.

Dangerous wing Zac Guildford provided two of their tries while goalkicking second five-eighth Sam Giddens bagged 14 points from one try, one penalty and three conversions.

Seeking just their second win of the competition, North Harbour simply could not get into their groove and instead suffered their sixth consecutive defeat.

Many promising moves were started but all broke down due to poor handling of ill-judged passes.

Hawke's Bay, who were beaten by Waikato in the last round, looked the better side with the ball in hand but were still a little lucky to open their account with a try against the run of play.

They turned over ball after a North Harbour attack broke down and Matt Egan and Israel Dagg in turn kicked the ball on before Guildford won the race to ground the ball in the 11th minute.

Sam Giddens converted from in front of the goalposts to give his side a 7-0 lead.

First-five eighth Andrew Horrell was unlucky not to be awarded a try seven minutes later after chasing a chargedown of an attempted chip by North Harbour first five-eighth Ben Botica.

Horrell clearly grounded the ball but referee Mike Fraser and his assistant referee decided that he had knocked the ball on at some point.

But Giddens extended the lead when knocked over a penalty 15min later after skipper Jason Shoemark was by with a high tackle.

North Harbour got on the board when skipper Anthony Tuitavake charged down a Giddens chip and gathered the ball for an opportunistic try.

The second half was all Hawke's Bay as Giddens, Guildford, lock Matt Egan and substitute Hugh Reed each dotted down.

North Harbour's other tries were scored by an impressive Josh York, who came on for fullback Rudi Wulf, while centre George Pisi scored a late touchdown.

Hawke's Bay 34 (Zac Guildford 2, Sam Giddens, Matt Egan, Hugh Reed tries; Giddens pen, 3 con) North Harbur 17 (Anthony Tuitavake, Josh York, George Pisi tries; Botica con). Halftime:10-5.

- NZPA