Mitre 10 Cup: More Magpies heartache

A deflated Magpies pivot Ihaia West (centre) receives some consolation from his teammates after missing a penalty kick in the final minute of the last night's loss to Auckland. Photo / Duncan Brown

Commendable improvement ... that's the best way to describe the Hawke's Bay Magpies performance in this Mitre 10 Cup Premiership loss at McLean Park, Napier, last night.

While the Magpies were unlucky to lose after first five-eighth Ihaia West missed a challenging 80th-minute penalty from 41 metres out, head coach Craig Philpott and his troops had every right to be proud of the improvement.

There was plenty of ticker, more creative support play and, most importantly, solid defensive work.

"We played really well. There were just a couple of little things at key moments but I'm really proud of the boys' effort," Philpott said afterwards.

Auckland first five-eighth and captain Simon Hickey admitted he felt "physically ill" as West lined up his final attempt as two minutes earlier Hickey had missed a penalty attempt in front of the posts.

"That's our get-out-of-jail card used for the season," Hickey added.

There was another shaky start from the Magpies. Flanker Trent Boswell-Wakefield lost the ball on the second phase and then lock Mark Abbott conceded a penalty for a dangerous tackle.

However, once the Magpies, who played with a strong wind behind them in the first half after Auckland won the toss, got into their groove there was more enterprise on attack and better defensive intensity than in their previous three games.

West opened the scoring with a penalty from 33 metres out in the seventh minute.

Six minutes later West scored the first try of the game with a try from a charge down.

It took 23 minutes for Auckland to make their first foray into the Magpies 22. They were rewarded with a penalty from 25 metres out to Hickey two minutes later.

There was some superb support play between the Magpies backs and forwards which led to a try to fullback Ryan Tongia in the 34th minute.

Magpies winger Ryan Tongia darts over the line for a try in the 34th minute but the TMO rightly disallowed it at McLean Park, Napier.

However television match official Bruce Dockary correctly ruled Magpies centre Jonah Lowe had put his foot into touch two phases earlier.

West had the final say before the halftime whistle with a penalty from 26 metres out to have the Magpies ahead 11-3.

Apart from two misses at goal and the failure to pass after a clever solo run in the fourth minute West controlled play well in the first half with some accurate tactical kicking.

Auckland conceded some soft turnovers in the first spell and this was a tribute to the Magpies tenacious defence.

Hickey opened the scoring in the second half with a 42nd-minute penalty from 23 metres out.

The visitors' captain was again on target with a 52nd-minute penalty after Taranaki referee Paul Williams deemed Magpies prop Ben May to be offside, handy to the posts.

It was appropriate Abbott should score the Magpies 57th-minute try after sustained pressure from the Magpies forwards as he had earlier made a spectacular break earlier to put the hosts on attack. West added the extras and the Magpies led 18-9.

Hickey kept Auckland in touch with a 60th-minute penalty. Six minutes later Auckland's substitute hooker, Greg Pleasants-Tate, displayed plenty of gas to score a try.

The Magpies replied with a penalty to West two minutes later. Second five-eighth Vince Aso put Auckland in front for the first time with a 71st-minute try.

West and Hickey traded penalties and Auckland led 25-24 with five minutes remaining.

Crusaders centre-winger Robbie Fruean was a late withdrawal from the Magpies with a hamstring injury. Matt Garland replaced him while Shannan Chase replaced Garland on the subs' bench.

Garland and Magpies second five-eighth Tiaan Falcon made the most of their opportunities in their first Mitre 10 Cup starts.

Winger Mason Emerson was also thirsty for work on attack and made a couple of try-saving tackles.

Once again the Magpies scrum was superior than the visitors.

Locks Mark Abbott and Geoff Cridge had massive work rates and openside flanker Tony Lamborn was back to his best after a recent illness.

Auckland 25 (Vince Aso, Greg Pleasants-Tate tries; Simon Hickey 5 pens) Hawke's Bay 24 (Ihaia West, Mark Abbott tries; West 4 pens, con).
Halftime: Magpies 11-3.

Match highlights:

Heartstopper: Magpies first five-eighth Ihaia West's missed penalty in the 80th minute from 41m out. It would have given the Magpies a deserved first win for the season.
Turning point: When Magpies winger Ryan Tongia was denied a try in the 34th minute. Television match official Bruce Dockary correctly ruled Magpies centre Jonah Lowe had put his foot into touch two phases earlier.
Player of the match: Auckland openside flanker Akira Ioane. Powerful on the carry, clever link play and busy on defence.