Hawke's Bay have retained the Ranfurly Shield, denying Northland's bid to break their 42-year drought.
After a rapid run saw Taranaki and Otago win the Shield then immediately lose it the week after, Hawke's Bay have become the first team to defend the Shield this season, with a 33-17 victory.
Hawke's Bay made plenty of changes from the team that were hammered in North Harbour the week earlier, with the bulk of their Shield-winning side returning, though it was hard to tell in a first half packed with handling errors that ended with the Bay 9-3 in front.
A try shortly after the break from Neria Fomai extended the hosts' lead before captain Ash Dixon crossed near the sideline, but not from a lineout drive this time, with an overlap seeing him give the holders a 21-3 lead.
![Ash Dixon of Hawke's Bay celebrates a try. Photo / Getty](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/FBTXISNZM3XIR4LGB6VRADGPV4.jpg?auth=1d891650c276fec754ef75bcc8b3f161d75535b53eb6b743774eb58dc5185a01&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)