Sanaila Waqa of the Magpies. Photo / Duncan Brown.
Hawke's Bay's etched their name further into Ranfurly Shield history.
They've beaten Mid Canterbury 57-12 at McLean Park to carry the Log o' Wood into the ITM Cup season.
It's also the Magpies 51st successful career defence of the Ranfurly Shield, tying them with Waikato for the third highest.
Coach Craig Philpott says it's a special achievement for the squad.
He says for a small province to be behind Auckland and Canterbury is a great feeling.
Philpott says they did well to weather Mid Canterbury's emotion and intensity.
"Any team that comes to challenge for the Shield is always going to be performing well above themselves in that first forty to fifty minutes. Which just had to be patient and the fact our strength and condition is going to kick in later on."
Hawke's Bay's next defence is against Northland next month in the first round of the ITM Cup.
Game two of the three match series begins on Saturday.