• Sensational first half propels Magpies to shield glory

Sensational first half propels Magpies to shield glory

A sensational first half was the key as the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby side locked the Ranfurly Shield away for the summer today.

Superb support play on attack and intense and accurate defence saw the Magpies establish a 27-6 halftime lead on the way to their 34-18 victory over the Wellington Lions in front of 8.500 fans at Napier's McLean Park. Delighted Magpies supporters labelled the hosts first 40 minutes as better than any of their previous displays this season and they were bang on.

As expected the opening minutes were tight. Magpies first five-eighth Caleb Makene, who slotted all five of his attempts at goal in 40 minutes of action, and his Wellington counterpart Jackson Garden-Bachop kicked penalty goals in the third and sixth minutes respectively.

When Garden-Bachop succeeded with a 10th minute penalty attempt to givbe the Lions a 6-3 lead that was the only occasion the visitors lead in the Magpies 100th Ranfurly Shield clash which doubled as a ninth round Mitre 10 Cup crossover match.

In-form Magpies No 8 Devan Flanders (pictured below) scored the first try in the 12th minute after a clever kick ahead from halfback and player-of-the-match Folau Fakatava. Makene added the conversion.

 

Block-busting Magpies blindside flanker Marino Mikaele-Tu'u scored in the 17th minute after some varied lineout play from the hosts. Makene again added the extras.

Three minutes later outstanding Magpies openside flanker Brendon O'Connor sliced through the Lions defence and quick hands from his support players saw centre Stacey Ili score. Makene was again on target with the conversion.

In the 23rd minute Magpies captain and hooker Ash Dixon opted for three points which Makene secured. Thirteen minutes into the second half Magpies second five-eighth Neria Fomai secured the bonus point try after winning the chase to a kick ahead from substitute pivot Lincoln McClutchie who added the conversion.

The Lions, who last won a shield challenge in 2008, started to play with more urgency and intent than they did in the first half. They were rewarded with a 56th minute try to lockNaitoa Ah Kuoi and a 63rd minute try to impressive substitute prop Kaliopasi Uluilakepa which Garden-Bachop converted.

Dixon, who played his 250th first class match, agreed his troops first half was outstanding and he pointed out the hosts were motiviated to lock the shield away for the summer for the first time since 2014.

"Now that we have done that we can focus on the Championship. We still haven't hit our straps yet ... we have still got to play for the full 80," Dixon said.
As expected the humble Fakatava praised his teammates as he accepted the player-of-the-match award.

"I did well because of all the effort from the other boys. But this is a proud moment which is going to be in the history books. I know how much it means to the community," Fakatava explained.

When quizzed about his success at securing turnovers Fakatava replied:

"I had to do something else as well as my kicking and passing so I have worked on my tackles."

Lions captain and lock James Blackwell agreed it was difficult for the visitors to bounce back from their poor start.

"We had opportunities in the second half and could only nail a couple."

With their victory the Magpies secured a home semifinal which will be played on November 21.

Match facts:

Heartstopper: When Magpies fullback Kurt Baker kicked the ball out on the full from a kick off in the seventh minute. Fortunately it wasn't too costly. 

Turning point: When Magpies second five-eighth Neria Fomai scored the bonus point try in the 53rd minute to give the hosts a 34-6 lead. Wellington's faints hopes of a comeback were cashed.

Player of the match: Magpies halfback Folau Fakatava. Superb game management on attack and on defence he operated like a fourth loosie securing numerous turnovers.

Scorers: Hawke's Bay 34 (Devan Flanders, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Stacey Ili, Neria Fomai tries;Caleb Makene 3, Lincoln McClutchie cons; Makene 2 pens), Wellington 18 (Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 2 pens, con). HT: 27-6.