Pity the opposition when the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby side achieve their ultimate performance.

While it was close to an 8/10 when the Magpies retained the Ranfurly Shield, the Kel Tremain Memorial Trophy and banked the maximum Mitre 10 Cup Championship five points with today's 47-12 seventh round victory over the Manawatu Turbos at Napier's McLean Park captain and hooker Ash Dixon hinted there is more to come from his troops.

"We've got high expectations but we're not quite where we need to be," Dixon said afterwards.

"Our discipline was disappointing in the first half and our error rate was too high. In the second half our ball retention was better," Dixon explained.

He was spot on. The Magpies conceded eight turnovers and five penalties in the first half. However they still secured the bonus point for four tries by halftime.

Manawatu deserved their 5-0 lead after second five-eighth James Tofa scored in the 17th minute. The Magpies opened their account six minutes later when second five-eighth Danny Toala (scoring below) capitalised on a clever chip kick from pivot Lincoln McClutchie who added the extras.

In-form Magpies No 8 Devan Flanders scored in the 31st minute after clever interchange between the hosts backs and forwards. McClutchie converted to give the Bay a 14-5 lead.

The Peter Russell-coached Turbos stayed in the hunt when first five-eighth Beyn Wyness scored and added the extras in the 34th minute.

Magpies fullback and player of the match Caleb Makene scored in the 37th minute after a superb break from McClutchie who again converted. Outstanding openside flanker Brendon O'Connor scored on the halftime siren after bursting away from a lineout and McClutchie again slotted the conversion.

To the Turbos credit they held the Magpies out in the second half until captain and hooker Ash Dixon scored from a lineout driver in the 66th minute. Replacement halfback Connor McLeod converted.

A clever kick ahead from centre Stacey Ili put winger Neria Fomai in for a try in the 72nd minute. Some superb handing from at least six Magpies led to substitute lock Isaia Walker-Leawere's 77th minute try which McLeod converted from the sideline.

Makene pipped halfback Folau Fakatava and O'Connor for player-of-the-match honours. It was Makene's second start of the season and first at fullback. He played the final quarter at pivot.

"Everybody nailed their roles which made my job easy," Makene said afterwards.

"We've got a really talented backline and we all back each other. While 15 is my preferred position I'm happy to play 10," Makene added.

Lock Liam Mitchell and blindside flanker TK Howden were prominent in the Turbos pack. Tofa and winger Te Rangatira Waitokia made the most of their limited opportunities.

Match facts:

Heartstopper: When a clearing kick from Magpies fullback Caleb Makene was charged down 24 seconds into the game. Fortunately no damage was done and Makene went on to produce his best display of the season.

Turning point: When in-form Magpies flanker Brendon O'Connor scored in the 40th minute to give the hosts a 28-12 lead at halftime. The Turbos were never going to recover from this deficit.

Player of the match: Makene. Polished play in both the fullback and first five-eighth positions including a 37th minute try.

Scorers: Hawke's Bay Magpies 47 (Danny Toala, Devan Flanders, Caleb Makene, Brendon O'Connor, Ash Dixon, Neria Fomai, Isaia Walker-Leawere tries; Lincoln McClutchie 4, Connor McLeod 2 cons), Manawatu Turbos 12 (James Tofa, Ben Wyness tries; Wyness con). HT: 28-12.