The Magpies celebrate holding on to the Shield in a Battle of the Bays thriller. Photo / Ian Cooper
The Magpies celebrate holding on to the Shield in a Battle of the Bays thriller. Photo / Ian Cooper
Substitute first five Tiaan Falcon saved the Ranfurly Shield for Hawke's Bay twice in five minutes, slotting two clutch penalty goals to seal a 36-33 golden point victory over Bay of Plenty.
The Magpies had an untidy start with a knock-on giving Bay of Plenty attacking possession in the openingstages.
The visitors built some phases before winger Emoni Narawa cashed in on an overlap for the first try of the game in the fourth minute.
There were a couple more early errors from Hawke's Bay as the home team showed some rust following a month-long layoff.
They turned to the rolling maul to get themselves going, and captain Ash Dixon went over for a signature try off the back of a lineout drive to give his Magpies the lead in the 14th minute.
The Steamers hit straight back thanks to a lovely offload from Manaaki Selby-Rickit which put halfback Luke Campbell in under the posts.
Hawke's Bay loose forward Solomone Funaki scored his own try shortly after following a brilliant carry from Marino Mikaele-Tu'u.
Tiaan Falcon celebrates kicking a penalty on full time with Ereatara Enari to send the game to extra time. Photo Ian Cooper
Winger Onisi Ratave had been looking dangerous for the visitors and some poor tackling from the Magpies saw him score the Steamers third try with 25 minutes gone.
A Lincoln McClutchie penalty goal from 45 metres drew Hawke's Bay back within two points.
Loosehead prop Pouri Rakete-Stones ran a brilliant supporting line to score under the posts and restore the Magpies' lead.
McClutchie extended that buffer beyond a converted try with another penalty shortly before halftime.
The fast and furious scoring tapered off after the break, with Kaleb Trask missing a long range shot at goal for Bay of Plenty in the 51st minute.
A smart grubber kick from substitute playmaker Otere Black wasn't dealt with by the Magpies allowing centre Sean Wainui to make it a one-point game.
McClutchie chipped over another penalty just after the hour mark on a day when he went 6/6 off the tee.
The visitors turned down two easy shots at goal after the 65-minute mark and came close to a try but Hawke's Bay held them out and forced a reprieving knock-on.
Magpies Gareth Evans is lifted in a tackle by BoP #9 Luke Campbell. Photo Ian Cooper
Hawke's Bay's defence continued to hold and fullback Lolagi Visinia came close to a brilliant counter-attacking try but was caught short of the line with five minutes to play.
