Rugby: Hawke's Bay bounce back against Southland

Hawke's Bay's Andrew Horrell pushed through tonight against Southland. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hawke's Bay bounced back from last Saturday's upset loss to Manawatu with a gritty 29-18 win over Southland in their national provincial championship rugby match in Napier tonight.

Ahead 13-6 at halftime, Hawke's Bay worked hard against an increasingly desperate Southland to control the closing minutes and shut out the win.

Both teams were guilty of directionless kicking, especially in the first half, and consequently struggled for any real go-forward in the greasy conditions.

Two Robbie Robinson penalties saw Southland out to an early lead before Hawke's Bay second five-eighth Andrew Horrell returned the favour to level the scores after 17 minutes.

The only try of the first half came just on the 20-minute mark via a piece of magic from Hawke's Bay winger Tu Umaga-Marshall.

Hooker Hika Elliot scooped up a Southland kick right on his on 22, then found Umaga-Marshall who powered away down the touch before flicking a no-look back-flip for halfback Chris Eaton to elude the cover defence and score.

The Southland scrum, with a distinct weight advantage, often had Hawke's Bay on the back-pedal, but the home team's work around the ruck was exemplary and they worked the pick and go well to make solid ground.

Horrell extended the lead with a penalty two minutes into the second half, but Southland battled back five minutes later. Robinson conjured a try out of nothing after a kick ahead saw the ball pinballing off players before falling for the fullback to latch onto and sneak across.

Southland coach David Henderson gradually brought on his big guns: first Jamie Mackintosh, then Jason Rutledge, Chris King and Josh Bekhuis as Southland looked to grind down the home team up front.

But Hawke's Bay dug deep, their forward pack gained momentum and territory, and Horrell slid through for the try after some precision passing that once again featured Umaga-Marshall.

Southland steadied and - with the introduction of centre Kenny Lynn - pulled a try back as loose forward John Hardie bulldozed over from close in with 15 minutes remaining.

The conversion narrowed Hawke's Bay's lead to 23-18, although Horrell restored it to eight shortly afterwards with an invaluable penalty, a penalty right on the 80 minute mark sealing the win.

- NZPA