Wairarapa-Bush outclassed at Napier

TRY: Cody Whittaker is congratulated by his team after his kick led to Brock Price's try. PHOTOS/PETER TAYLOR

A gutsy Wairarapa-Bush were outgunned 58-7 by holders Hawke's Bay in their Ranfurly Shield match at Napier yesterday.

With the home team dominant in the lineouts and scrums Wairarapa-Bush had very little opportunity to demonstrate their attacking qualities from set-piece situations.

But there was no shortage of endeavour on their part at the breakdowns and in broken play, especially in the first half, at the end of which they trailed 17-7.

Wairarapa-Bush points came from a spectacular try to flanker Brock Price, who chased hard after a Cody Whittaker kick and was awarded the touchdown when a Hawke's Bay defender failed to force the bouncing ball.

Tim Priest added the conversion from close range.

The second half was a more one-sided affair with Hawke's Bay adding six tries to the two they had scored in the opening 40 minutes, and exposing deficiencies in a tiring Wairarapa-Bush defence.

The standouts for Wairarapa-Bush up front were No8 Johnie McFadzean, flanker James Goodger and prop Kurt Simmonds, while the inside combination of Whittaker and Tim Priest were the pick of the backs.

Former All Black Zac Guildford scored two tries for Hawke's Bay with others to Jarmy Akoe, Shannon Chase, Billy Ropiha, Tyrone Elkington-McDonald, Brendan O'Connor and Jonah Lowe. Elkington-McDonald also kicked five conversions and two penalties and Ihaia West kicked one conversion.