Rugby: Magpies hang on for championship title

Richard Buckman of Hawke's Bay is tackled by Aaron Cruden of Manawatu. Photo / Getty Images

Hawke's Bay will play premiership rugby next season after a pulsating 35-30 win over Manawatu in the ITM Cup championship final in Palmerston North tonight.

In a game where both sides were happy to throw the ball around, which made for an exciting spectacle, the Magpies were dominant at the breakdown and were able to give their backs better front-foot ball.

The Turbos battled to give star first-five Aaron Cruden a solid platform to work his magic from.

Cruden opened the scoring in the second minute after he slotted a penalty from out in front after Hawke's Bay infringed at a ruck.

Hawke's Bay grabbed the first try of the game in the ninth minute through centre Tua Saseve after he picked the ball up from the base of a ruck and beat an Aaron Smith tackle to score.

Doug Tietjens replied for the home side after he was on the end of an overlap in the 13th minute and the huge crowd of just over 13,000 at FMG Stadium came to life.

Magpies fullback Richard Buckman silenced them a short while later when he ran on to a Chris Eaton grubber to score and winger Tino Nemani added another five-pointer four minutes later.

The Turbos enjoyed a busy period just before half-time and second-five Francis Bryant crashed over next to the posts to see the sides go in to the break with Hawke's Bay ahead 22-17.

In the second spell it was the Magpies who scored first through Sinoti Sinoti, while Andrew Horrell was accurate with the boot throughout as he kicked three conversions and as many penalties.

Cruden slotted two second half penalties for the Turbos and Mike FitzGerald grabbed a late try for Manawatu but it wasn't enough.

Hawke's Bay 35 (Tua Saseve, Richardson Buckman, Tino Nemani tries; Andrew Horrell 3 pen, 3 con) Manawatu 30 (Doug Tietjens, Francis Bryant, Mike FitzGerald tries, Aaron Cruden 3 pen, 3 con

- APNZ