It wasn't supposed to be like this. The semifinalists from the past three seasons, and new darlings of provincial rugby, were supposed to be among the contenders in 2010 but can only boast one win in eight outings.
Peter Russell's side have played betterin the past couple of weeks, and they were decent at times against Wellington in very difficult conditions yesterday, but they look like they will be made to pay for a sluggish start to the season and a string of narrow defeats. With games against Taranaki, Auckland, Northland, North Harbour and Counties Manukau to play, it certainly doesn't get any easier.
Yesterday they made a bright start, jumping out to a 10-0 lead, but conceded three tries in 12 minutes to go into the sheds trailing 17-10. They could manage only a solitary penalty in the second half playing with the wind as Wellington's defence held firm. It was that aspect that let Hawke's Bay down.
Hosea Gear scored his 33rd try for Wellington in 55 games from a standing start but he shouldn't have been afforded space to slip through three tacklers. He set up the third when he beat two more tacklers before offloading to young first five-eighths Lima Sopoaga.
Wellington right wing Alipate Leiua, not to be outdone by his more illustrious team-mate, then sliced through the Magpies' defence to gift a try to Tajhon Mailata.
That 12-minute period cost Hawke's Bay the game. They battled throughout but made too many errors and couldn't find a way through a resolute Wellington defence. Wellington could have won more handsomely but landed only one shot from seven attempts in the gusty conditions.
Hawke's Bay's only consolation was the fact they scored the game's best try through converted first five Kahn Fotuali'i. Hooker Hika Elliott made a spectacular break close to his own line before the ball went through five sets of hands, including Elliott again, who laid on the final pass to Fotuali'i.
This was an important win for the Lions, and they are now well ensconsed near the competition's top four. They aren't necessarily playing that well themselves but are doing enough to win most weeks.
Wellington 17 (H. Gear, T. Mailata, L. Sopoaga tries; Sopoaga con) Hawke's Bay 13 (K. Fotuali'i try, R. Buckman 2 pens, con). HT: 17-10.
