Tasman Mako have made NPC rugby history with their first ever Ranfurly Shield win after a nail-biting 25-24 triumph over Hawke’s Bay in Napier.
The first half at McLean Park was appreciably flat from the Hawke’s Bay Magpies, whose ill-discipline proved costly with the visitors ahead 8-0 after nine minutes.
A rare surge by wing and crowd-favourite Ben O’Donnell saw him crash over Tasman’s line at the 20-minute mark, only for it to be judged held up.
Mako continued to dominate possession and territory with metre-eating wing Timoci Tavatavanawai a constant menace in the first 40-minutes, breaking tackles and forcing the home team on the back foot.
It didn’t get any easier with Magpies no.8 and former Tasman player Hugh Renton sinbinned in the 22nd minute.