Hawke’s Bay Magpies Defeat Taranaki, Advance to NPC Semifinals

The Hawke’s Bay Magpies secured a place in the semifinals of the National Provincial Championship (NPC) by defeating Taranaki 26-12 at McLean Park in Napier on September 30, 2023. This victory marks a significant turnaround for the Magpies, who had suffered four consecutive losses to their rivals, including a heavy defeat earlier this season.

Despite a challenging start, where Taranaki dominated possession and territory, the Magpies turned the tide in the latter part of the first half. Taranaki controlled the early game, achieving a staggering 91% territory and 67% possession, leading to a high tackle count for Hawke’s Bay. Their dominance, however, yielded only one penalty goal scored by Josh Jacomb.

As the first half progressed, the Magpies found their rhythm. Le Roux Malan opened the scoring with a try in the 28th minute, followed by Miracle Faiilagi’s effort just six minutes later. By halftime, Hawke’s Bay led 14-6, despite receiving two yellow cards during the match.

The second half saw Hawke’s Bay maintaining their lead, even as they faced a penalty count of 12-5 against them. Key players like Folau Fakatava and Malan were instrumental in their performance. Fakatava not only contributed to the game’s pace but also played a crucial role in setting up tries.

Taranaki was left frustrated after two potential tries were ruled out by the Television Match Official (TMO) due to technical infringements. The visitors had a brief resurgence with Jacomb’s second penalty, narrowing the gap to five points, but Hawke’s Bay responded decisively.

In the 66th minute, a powerful scrum and effective carries set the stage for Sam Smith to score, extending the Magpies’ lead to 26-12. Despite finishing the match with 14 players, Hawke’s Bay held firm, preventing Taranaki from scoring again and ensuring their place in the semifinals.

This win not only boosts the Magpies’ morale but also brings them closer to their goal of winning their first top-flight NPC title. The team will be looking to build on this momentum as they prepare for the next round of the competition.