Hawkes Bay's winning streak continues

Second division Hawkes Bay are now the only NPC side to win all their competition games after beating Manawatu 44-12.

Manawatu played well in the first half to trail only 9-15 at the break. But Hawkes Bay completely dominated in the second spell to take their run of consecutive wins in the second division to 35.

Standout for the Bay was second five-eighth Davis Norman, who regularly broke the line to feed the outside backs and controlled the defensive screen. Winger Jacob Kennedy scored two tries.

Nelson Bays overcame a 9-0 deficit to beat North Otago 34-21 in Oamaru. There were plenty of errors but plenty of tries as well, Nelson Bays outscoring the home side five to two.

An icy southerly made handling tricky, leading to many mistakes in both backlines.

The best play came from the loose forwards where Nelson Bays openside flanker Mark Bright was the pick.

Nelson Bays lock Patrick Finau broke tackles to set up the drive.

Nelson's tries came from Lucky Mulipola (two), Ali Durrant, Isikeli Ratulevu and Bright.

Watisoni Lotawa and Viliame Veikoso scored for North Otago.

Thames Valley left too many holes for Marlborough, who rang up a 56-21 win to move within two points of fourth-placed North Otago (17 points).

Marlborough sped to 42-7 by halftime as their backs carved out the defence.

No 8 Laurie McGlone led Marlborough well with support from Ross Love, while centre Aaron Bancroft showed pace and skills and first five-eighth Sam Howe probed the holes close to the forwards.

Bancroft scored four tries and Nathan Peipi, Sam Gibbons, Marty Campbell and Laurie McGlone crossed for one each.

- NZPA


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