Hawke's Bay beat champs

HASTINGS - Two Hawke's Bay players celebrated their NPC rugby debuts with tries in their 42-25 win over defending second division champions Nelson Bays today.

Centre Ben Allen, who is back in his home province after stints in the Canterbury and Auckland development systems and substitute prop, former Tonga under-19 representative Arizona Taumalolo, scored at Napier's McLean Park.

The hosts had too much class for Nelson when the game was played at pace.

Captain and No 8 Mutu Ngarimu and another experienced campaigner Michael Johnson, who had stints at blindside flanker and lock, were prominent in the Magpies pack.

Winger Ray Karauria was hungry for work in his return to the NPC rugby after playing for the Development side last year and scored a fine try as well.

Former New Zealand Sevens representative Donovan Nepia took the field as a replacement fullback for the Magpies and kicked 15 points, three penalties and three conversions from eight attempts at goal.

The Nelson Bays halfback-first five-eighth combination of Tim Lampriere and Tim Taylor operated well in a backline where clever stepping centre Saul Luamanuvae made the most of his opportunities before retiring hurt.

Unlike last year when Nelson Bays beat the Magpies twice, the visiting pack was outmuscled.

Scorers:

Hawke's Bay 42 (Karl Mudzamba, Ben Allen, Mutu Ngarimu, Arizona Taumalolo, Ray Karauria tries; Donovan Nepia 3 pens, 3 cons, James Rosenberg con)

Nelson Bays 25 (Robbie Malneek, Mace Poloie, Rudolf Meredith tries; Tim Taylor 2 pens, 2 cons).

Halftime: 17-13.

- NZPA