Central Region Shield Kicks-Off With Two Big Wins

The 2019 Central Region Shield competition kicked-off in a deluge of biblical proportions in Palmerston North earlier today. At the CET Arena, Wellington defeated Manawatu by 28 points to 0, while at the Sport & Rugby Institute, Hawke Bay won by 36 points to 3. Both Wellington and Hawkes Bay carry maximum championship points into their Round 2 matches next week.

The Central Region Shield is proudly supported by Wellington's Karaka Cafe.

At Palmerston North's Sport & Rugby Institute, the Hurricanes Heartland Team were beaten by 36 points to 3 by Hawkes Bay, after the Junior Magpies held a slender 10 points to 3 half-time lead, after a see-saw battle in the first spell of play. The Hurricanes Heartland Team were first to score after 5 minutes, through a penalty kick to Arana Murphy, with Hawkes Bay's Leighton Shaw levelling the score with a penalty of his own after 10 minutes of play.

The conditions made handling difficult, but Hawkes Bay made better use of their possession and were rewarded with a converted try after sustained forward pressure on the Hurricanes Heartland goal-line, which was the score as both teams raced off the field to the warmth of the changing rooms.

In the second stanza of the game, costly turnovers after periods of patient build-up by the Hurricanes Heartland side, gifted Hawkes Bay possession of the ball, resulting in a further four touch-downs before full-time, three of which were converted.

Both sides worked well in the torrential rain, but the Junior Magpie forwards set-piece put the Hurricanes Heartland team under pressure at key moments. Both sides will re-group for next week's matches, with the Hurricanes Heartland team travelling to Wellington, while Hawkes Bay will host Manawatu.

(Published : 17/08/19)