Hawke's Bay pushed hard by Thames Valley

HAWKES BAY 19 THAMES VALLEY 13

Reputations counted for little as Hawke's Bay laboured their way to a 19-13 win over Thames Valley in an NPC second division rugby match at Waihi today.

Thames Valley came close to causing a huge upset over the 2001 and 2002 champions but didn't have the polish in the backs to complement a hardworking forward pack.

Thames Valley had the better of the early exchanges but Hawke's Bay opened the scoring when they worked the blindside from 30m out and centre Sefulu Gau Gau finished off with a try for fullback Colin Burke to convert.

Burke extended the difference with a penalty before Thames Valley countered when first-five Bevan Robinson stepped through the defence to score and convert to make the halftime score 10-7 in favour of the visitors.

Burke and Robinson traded penalties early in the second spell, and Robinson levelled the scores at 13-13 with a penalty with 30 minutes remaining.

For the next 20 minutes it was real slugfest as both forward packs never faltered in their work rates.

The issue was ultimately decided by further penalties to Burke, one a wobbly effort from 40m, while Thames Valley threatened to snatch victory in the dying stages before being held out by desperate Hawke's Bay defence.

Top performers for Hawke's Bay were No 8 Mutu Ngarimu and lock Rob Evans while the combination between halfback Donovan Hall and first five-eighth Amasio Valence was sound.

The best forward on the field was Thames Valley flanker David Dillon, who led a solid pack of forwards.

First-five Bevan Robinson and centre Justin Leach were the pick of the home side's backs.

Hawke's Bay 19 (Sefulu Gau Gau try; Colin Burke 4 pen, con) Thames Valley 13 (Bevan Robinson try, 2 pen, con). Halftime: 10-7.

- NZPA