KEY POINTS:
Hawke's Bay righted a faltering Air NZ Cup rugby campaign with an impressive 41-6 victory over Tasman in Blenheim tonight.
One win from three previous matches had left last season's beaten semi-inalists in need of a pick-me-up and that's precisely what they gave themselves at Lansdowne Park.
They were a cut above Tasman from the outset, with centre Jason Shoemark snaring an intercept try from 40m out in just the 11th minute to give his side an immediate edge.
There was nothing opportunistic about the second of their five tries, which came just eight minutes later when lock Matt Egan featured twice in a storming move down the left.
The ball was then recycled and winger Jason Kupa scored on the right flank after smart handling from his insides.
First five-eighth Mathew Berquist was in fine form, ending with a personal haul of 16 points after a flawless display of goalkicking, including a 45m dropped goal in the second minute.
He also set up his side's third try when a clever stab ahead was latched on to by young wing Zac Guildford.
That gave Hawke's Bay a comfortable 27-6 lead at halftime, which they extended in the 52nd minute when No 8 George Naoupu scored their bonus-point fourth try following a smart set move from a scrum near the line.
Some momentum was then lost when big prop Faka'anaua Taumalolo was sinbinned but Hawke's Bay barely missed a beat.
They skipped further ahead in the 64th minute when Guildford snared his second try after the Tasman defence was caught napping following a quick tap kick inside the 22.
- NZPA
