KEY POINTS:
Hawke's Bay ended a decades-long winless streak at Carisbrook when they beat Otago 19-10 in a fifth round Air NZ Cup rugby match tonight.
The Magpies had not won at Carisbrook since 1976 but proved the superior side all round to earn a deserved win.
First five-eighth Matt Berquist was the star of the night, returning a 100 per cent record as he kicked three penalties, a dropped goal and a conversion.
His haul of 14 points took his competition tally to 60 from five games, easily making him the leading scorer in the championship so far.
The win also moved Hawke's Bay into the top four for the first time this season, on 15 points, and dislodging Otago, who without a bonus point from the game, remain on 13.
Otago, after a messy 22-8 win over Counties Manukau last weekend, started promisingly, moving the ball wide at every opportunity for the first 10 minutes but could not unlock a solid Hawke's Bay defence.
Hawke's Bay were slow to get into their stride but once the tight five warmed up, particularly hooker Hikawera Elliot and props Sona Taumalolo and Anthony Perenise, they began to exert their authority over Otago.
A lot was expected from the Otago loosies - Craig Newby, Steven Setephano, and returning All Black Adam Thomson - but they were shaded by the hardworking Magpies trio of George Naoupu, Karl Lowe and Michael Johnson.
Hawke's Bay also possessed players of the class of Berquist and wing Zac Guildford.
Hawke's Bay's try was set up by a series of punishing forward drives down the short side and with Otago's defence on their heels, the ball found Guildford who was too fast for the cover.
A penalty from No 10 Chris Noakes was all Otago had to show from their first half endeavours and they trailed 3-16 at the breather.
The game did not rise to any great heights in the second half with Hawke's Bay content to bat away any Otago threat easily.
Another Berquist penalty stretched their lead out to 19-3 before Otago scored a late consolation try through substitute Daniel Bowden which Noakes converted.
Hawke's Bay 19 (Zac Guildford try; Matt Berquist 3 pen, drop goal, con) Otago 10 (Daniel Bowden try, Chris Noakes pen, con). Halftime: 16-3.
- NZPA
