Mitre 10 Cup wrap: Bay of Plenty belt previously unbeaten Hawke's Bay

The Steamers are the 'Kings of the Bay' after belting the Magpies 51-24 in Tauranga.

Hawke's Bay were undefeated heading into the top of the table Mitre 10 Cup Championship clash, but the comprehensive margin of victory confirmed Bay of Plenty's status as the team to beat in the second tier of New Zealand provincial rugby.

Hawke's Bay could have sealed home-field advantage for next months playoffs, but they now find themselves looking scarily over their shoulders, with their rivals just three points back with two games to play. 

The contest was effectively over at halftime - the Steamers running in five unanswered tries to lead 31-0 at the break.

Hawke's Bay staged somewhat of a second-half comeback, pulling back 24 points, but a Chase Tiatia try with 15 minutes left killed the game off. 

Bay of Plenty 51 (Chase Tiatia 3, Joe Ravouvou 2, Kaleb Trask, Mitch Karpik, Tevita Mafileo tries; Trask 4 con, pen) Hawke's Bay 24 (Danny Toala, Geoffrey Cridge, Ollie Sapsford, Marino Mikaele Tu'u tries; Lincoln McClutchie 2 con)

Wellington thrash Northland 

 

Wellington have virtually sealed their place in the Mitre 10 Cup premiership semi-finals after their 57-36 victory over Northland at Westpac Stadium. 

The Lions continue their patch of form, claiming their sixth straight victory, leaving them seven points behind the unbeaten Mako at the top of the ladder. 

The scoreline probably isn't a fair reflection of the match as both sides entered an arm wrestle throughout the first half.

Wellington led 22-15 at the break, Vince Aso and a Du'Plessis Kirifi double giving the hosts the advantage. 

The more the game went on the more open it became as the Lions started to expose the lacklustre defence of the Taniwha. 

14 points in the opening 17 minutes of the second half all but sealed the win for Wellington as they cruised to their sixth win of the 2019 season.

Wellington 57 (Du'Plessis Kirifi 2, Pepesana Patafilo 2, Vince Aso, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Wes Goosen, Josh Furno tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 7 con, pen) 
Northland 36 (Aorangi Stokes 2, Paddy-Joe Atkins, Jonty Rae, Jack Debreczeni tries; Jack Debreczeni 3 con, pen)

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