Bay galant but class shows in the end

Cameron McIntyre of Canterbury scores one of his two tries against Hawkes Bay last night. Marty Melville / Getty Images

Canterbury 45 Hawkes Bay 0

This might sound odd, but it was far from one-way traffic at McLean Park last night. Yet the only thing that really mattered told a grim story.

Territorially, Hawkes Bay did well. There was plenty of effort, periods of quality but a shortage of real class. Yet there will be other times in this Air New Zealand Cup where the gulf is sure to be of Cook Strait proportions.

There was an inescapable feeling the Bay needed to grab every chance to be competitive. On several occasions, a Bay move split the Canterbury defence only for a lack of support, or wonky final pass, to undo the good work.

Canterbury were patchy, but were able to lift the tempo when they needed to, as if shaking off a persistent, unwanted admirer.

The Bay hewed away in the rucks and mauls and achieved a surprising degree of success in snaffling Canterbury ball, and individually there were some heartening signs for coach Brendon Ratcliffe. They battled to the end, coming close a couple of times as if to show they won't die wondering this season.

But his first priority next week is to fix the lineouts. It was the 32nd minute before the Bay won their own throw-in. Canterbury's key jumper, Kevin O'Neill, had a picnic, and the visitors ran the scrums as well.

Chief among last night's priorities would have been keeping close in the opening quarter. Instead, they were 10-0 down after six minutes, courtesy of a classy Steven Brett solo grubber-and-gather try and a couple of Ben Blair goals.

For a time the Bay plugged away and gave as good as they got. Nathan Mauger, Michael Johnson, hardworking Danny Lee, Joe Wright and Matt Berquist all got a sniff of open space but Canterbury were able to shut them down. Canterbury were scratchy, but good when they needed to be, defended resolutely and took their chances. Halfback Andy Ellis had a good tussle with Lee.

Lee, flanker Johnson, first five-eighths Matt Berquist and wing Ryan Glover were all good value for the Bay, who last night discovered some harsh realities of the brave new rugby world.

Canterbury 45 (C. McIntyre 2, M. Tuiali'i 2, S. Brett, C. Johnstone tries; B. Blair pen, 6 con). HT: 24-0