Rugby: Lions beat Magpies in Napier

Wellington Lions captain Tamati Ellison attempts to tackle Hawkes Bay prop Clint Newton. Photo / Getty Images

A smothering second-half defensive effort from Wellington laid the base for a 21-13 win over Hawke's Bay in an Air NZ Cup rugby match at Napier's McLean Park.

Trailing 10-13 at the break, Wellington stepped up their work at the breakdown and tightened their defence to starve Hawke's Bay opportunities in the second half.

A meandering opening 30 minutes from both teams were enlivened by just one penalty apiece, courtesy of Wellington's Daniel Kirkpatrick and Hawke's Bay's Mathew Berquist.

Wellington finally broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Hawke's Bay gave All Black Tamati Ellison too much room in the midfield, and his searing run from fullback split the defence before he unloaded for wing Hosea Gear to cross the tryline.

Kirkpatrick converted and Wellington looked ready to go into the break with a handy seven-point lead.

But barely 2min later referee Garratt Williamson lost patience with Wellington at the breakdown, sinbinning Gear for infringing after the tackle and giving the home side a sniff of a late try.

They made the most of their chance, showing patience as time ran down and using the pick-and-go effectively to batter the Wellington line.

Prop Sona Taumalolo gave the sellout crowd the try they were demanding, burrowing through in the corner with a couple of minutes left on the clock.

Berquist converted, and Hawke's Bay went into the break 13-10 ahead.

There was no let up in the second spell, with last year's semifinalists Hawke's Bay hot on attack right from the whistle and Wellington's defence being sorely tested.

However, they weathered the initial storm and regained territory through a combination of forward grind and excellent work from the strong running midfield combination of 18-year-old Charlie Ngatai and Robbie Fruean.

A second Kirkpatrick penalty levelled the scores after 55min, then replacement first five-eighth Fa'atonu Fili slotted a dropped goal to give Wellington a 16-13 lead with 20min remaining.

Wellington again proved their worth on the counter-attack as wing David Smith latched on to a mistimed Zac Guildford chip kick, easily evaded some disinterested tacklers and crossed unopposed for the matchwining try.

Wellington 21 (Hosea Gear, David Smith tries; Daniel Kirkpatrick 2 pen, con; Fa'atonu Fili dropped goal) Hawke's Bay 13 (Sona Taumalolo try; Mathew Berquist 2 pen, con). Halftime: 10-13.

- NZPA