Rugby: Hawkes Bay steamroll Otago in Napier

Hawke's Bay moved into the top four of the Air New Zealand Cup with a 32-10 victory over Otago in Napier. Photo / Getty Images

Hawke's Bay moved into the top four of rugby's Air New Zealand Cup with a dominant 32-10 victory over Otago in Napier.

Having started the round eighth on the standings, Hawke's Bay saw the four teams immediately above them -- Tasman, Auckland, Wellington and Taranaki -- all lose before they kicked off at McLean Park.

But they needed maximum points to climb into the top four and they did it with fullback Israel Dagg and skipper Jason Shoemark each getting two tries.

They were aided by a great start, sprinting out of the blocks to be 12-0 up after just five minutes, with Dagg and then Shoemark scoring in the same corner.

Dagg got the opener before the clock had ticked over the one-minute mark.

Flanker Karl Lowe won a turnover, Hawke's Bay spread the ball and Shoemark chipped through for Dagg to regather and cross.

Shoemark got his first touchdown when the home side again went wide and the centre forced his way over.

Looking to avoid a third successive defeat, Otago got on the board with a penalty to first five-eighth Michael Witt, and they were kept in the game by a heavy penalty count against the home side.

But Hawke's Bay pulled away again through a classy second try to Dagg, who stood up marker Fetu'u Vainikolo and then had too much speed for the cover defence.

Matt Berquist's second successful sideline conversion pushed the score out to 22-3.

Having been warned by referee Keith Brown for repeated infringements at the breakdown, Hawke's Bay finally had a player sinbinned, with lock Ross Kennedy going off five minutes from halftime.

But that didn't stop them moving further head just out from the break with Berquist landing a penalty.

Hawke's Bay came back out searching for a bonus-point try and almost succeeded when a big driving maul was followed by Dagg being held up over the line.

After a period camped in Otago territory, they finally got what they wanted, with Shoemark going through a hole close to line to score by the goalposts.

Down 2-32, Otago came back into the contest and got their reward with 15 minutes left when replacement No 8 Paul Grant went over from the back of the scrum.

Replacement first five-eighth Glenn Dickson added the conversion.

Hawke's Bay 32 (Israel Dagg 2, Jason Shoemark 2 tries; Matt Berquist 2 pen, 3 con) Otago 10 (Paul Grant try; Michael Witt pen, Glenn Dickson con). Halftime: 25-3.

- NZPA