Rampant Hawke's Bay remain unbeaten

6.00pm

Hawke's Bay ran in four tries in each half to crush Counties-Manukau 51-20 in a top-of-the-table NPC second division rugby clash today.

It kept the Magpies on course for a home final and was a stunning blow to Counties-Manukau's hopes of reclaiming the first division status they lost last season.

The home side picked up their four-try bonus point before halftime and remain the only unbeaten team in the division.

Hawke's Bay had a strong start with lock Lua Lokatui and hooker Mo Schwalger, two of the game's outstanding figures, scoring within the first 12 minutes to open a 12-0 lead.

But Counties-Manukau came back in the middle stages with flying winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and first five-eighth Stephen Donald touching down to level the scores at 12-12.

A simple Donald penalty a few minutes later had the visitors leading 15-12 after 27 minutes.

However, that signalled an end to the threat from Counties- Manukau with the home side regaining composure. Winger Ray Karauria and midfield back Frank Walker scored within three minutes of each other just before halftime.

The second half was one-way traffic with the Magpies using a wind advantage to pin Counties-Manukau inside their half.

Schwalger and Karauria each picked up their second tries to cap fine games while midfielder Davis Norman, returning after a six- week spell with injury, completed the try-fest.

With a comfortable 39-15 lead midway through the second half, Hawke's Bay coach Kieran Keane began ringing the changes to give all his bench a run.

Scores:

Hawke's Bay 51 (Mo Schwalger 2, Ray Karauria 2, Sam Leung-Wai, Frank Walker, Lua Lokatui, Davis Norman tries; Tim Manawatu 3 con, pen, Jason Bird con)

Counties-Manukau 20 (Mark Lawson, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald tries; Donald con, pen).

Halftime: 24-15.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY