The Tasman Mako were given a lesson in starting, and finishing, at McLean Park in Napier on Saturday night.
They lost 50-19 to a rampant Hawke’s Bay side, who raced to a 28-point lead at halftime and, although Tasman put in a better second half shift, still managed to add three more tries.
Tasman must go back to the drawing board after a poor performance. They were pushed around in the scrums, especially in the first half, conceded 15 turnovers and appeared disjointed in the backline. Next Sunday they play Counties Manukau in Pukekohe so there is little time to remedy issues.
The first half turned into a horror show for the Mako.
Hawke’s Bay continued in the same vein as last weekend, when they put 52 points on Wellington.
Playing with a clinical ruthlessness, they scored three unanswered tries in the first 20 minutes to race out to a 19-0 lead before Tasman were able to respond.
Hooker Eli Oudenryn, who was forced off the field with injury in the first spell, scored from a lineout drive, but the Magpies added two more tries before oranges to take a 33-5 lead into the sheds.
Tasman came out with more purpose but took some time to convert possession and position into points, replacement hooker Dylan Irvine eventually scoring their second. A late try to replacement winger Maloni Kunawave gave them hope of a bonus point, but that was quickly snuffed out as the Bay scored their eighth try in the final moments.
Scores: Hawke’s Bay 50 (Hunter Morrison, Lukas Ripley, Tyrone Thompson, Baylyn Sullivan, Sam Smith, Kade Manuel, Kianu Kereru Symes, Neria Fomai tries, Harry Godfrey 5 con) Tasman 19 (Eli Oudenryn, Maloni Kunawave, Dylan Irvine tries, William Havili 2 con). HT: 33-5
