Rugby: Rattled Bay lucky to take a draw

Air NZ Cup

Taranaki 24
Hawke's Bay 24

Hawke's Bay's dream start to the Air New Zealand Cup, when they demolished Auckland a fortnight ago, seems a distant memory after another reality check in the third round clash with Taranaki.

After many times looking comfortable winners last night, the Magpies had a horror final quarter and twice saw a nine-point lead frittered away for a 24-24 draw.

They might well have been lucky to have emerged with that - all of the momentum in the last minutes was with Taranaki. The home side might have a snatched a remarkable win when lively midfield back Jayden Hayward crossed with only two minutes left. However, Australian referee Nathan Pearce ruled a knock-on preceded the kick into the Bay in-goal.

Taranaki had other wasted opportunities. First five-eighths Jack Cameron landed three penalties to level the scores in the final quarter having earlier missed five attempts at goal.

Taranaki began strongly when Cameron capped a number of attacking phases by dabbing over on the blind-side of a ruck and, with the conversion, provided a 7-0 lead.

Midway through the first spell the Bay slapped on two spectacular tries which would be on the short list for the best scored at any level of the game this year.

Hooker Hika Elliot started the first with a skilful run down the left flank and, when that attack was checked, the Bay moved the ball right and classy play by fullback Israel Dagg and centre Jason Shoemark put wing Jason Kupa across at the corner.

From the kick-off the Bay attacked again, with halfback Chris Eaton providing the spark and further superb support play from flanker Michael Johnson, No 8 Thomas Waldrom and wing Zac Guildford created a second try to Shoemark.

Mathew Berquist, in contrast to Cameron's mixed night, was in fine form with his boot and helped the Bay to lead 18-10 at halftime; an accurate reflection of the Magpies' superiority.

Early in the second spell the Bay suffered a couple of injury blows from which it never recovered. Waldrom, resplendent in pink headgear in aid of a cancer appeal as was his brother in the Taranaki side, Scott, retired with a rib injury and soon after Dagg, an outstanding attacker from the back, left with an injured hip.

Though Berquist soon settled things with two further penalty goals, their departure signalled a loss of direction for the Bay.

Difficulty in controlling Cameron's halfway re-starts led to pressure being applied by No 8 Jarrad Hoeta and hooker Laurence Corlett for lock Jason Eaton to score. Though Cameron's conversion attempt failed, he made amends by landing the final three penalties as the Bay became even more rattled by the Taranaki pressure. Even Berquist was now prone to error with a re-start from halfway going out on the full.

Referee Pearce impressed and he dealt quickly and effectively with an incident which marred the first spell. After Bay lock Ross Kennedy and Scott Waldrom were involved in a scuffle he dispatched Hoeta and Bay prop Sona Taumalolo, who entered the dispute by swinging punches, to the sin-bin.

Besides the Waldrom brothers in opposition, members of the Kennedy clan found themselves in conflict. Kennedy's father Adrian was Taranaki's coach, so perhaps there was some family satisfaction in the draw.

Taranaki 24 (J. Cameron, J. Eaton tries, Cameron con, 4 pens) Hawke's Bay 24 (J. Kupa, J. Shoemark tries, M. Berquist con, 4 pens). Halftime: Bay 18-10.