Firing: The turbos
Hawke's Bay's days in the top division of the ITM Cup could be numbered after going down 20-7 to Manawatu in Palmerston North on Saturday.
In freezing wind and heavy rain, the Turbos outscored their visitors two tries to one for their first home win of the season which keeps their slim hopes of a championship semi-final place alive.
For Hawke's Bay, however, the result means they are stuck in a Premiership relegation dogfight with Bay of Plenty.
It was a bad day all around for Magpies who are facing a mounting injury-toll with Zac Guildford (hamstring), Michael Coman (concussion), Adrian Barone (shoulder) and Chris Eaton (ankle) all forced from the field.
Guildford lasted less than two minutes on his comeback while Coman was forced off three minutes later.
Hawke's Bay were able to use the howling wind to their advantage to take a 7-3 lead at the break, thanks to a try from full-back Andrew Horrell, who also added the conversion.
But it was one-way traffic in the second half as tries from Shaun Curry and David Te Moana secured victory for the Turbos.
The scorers:
For Manawatu:
Tries: Curry, Te Moana
Cons: George 2
Pens: George 2
For Hawke's Bay:
Try: Horrell
Con: Horrell
Manawatu: 15 Lewis Marshall 14 Craig Clare, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Shaun Curry, 11 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 10 Nathan George, 9 Papa Wharewera, 8 James Oliver, 7 Callum Gibbins, 6 Nick Crosswell (capt), 5 Michael Fitzgerald, 4 Fraser Stone, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Rob Foreman, 1 Grant Polson,
Replacements: 16 Bryn Templeman, 17 David Te Moana, 18 Reece Robinson, 19 Antonio Kirikiri, 20 Karl Bryson, 21 Hamish Northcott, 22 Willie Paia'aua
Hawke's Bay: 15 Andrew Horrell 14 Gillies Kaka, 13 Maritino Nemani, 12 Marvin Karawana, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Isaac Paewai, 8 Karl Lowe, 7 Adam Bradey, 6 Mike Coman (capt), 5 Ross Kennedy, 4 Tom Parsons, 3 Brendon Edmonds, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Adrian Barone.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Peter Borlase, 18 Johan Schoonbee, 19 Trent Boswell-Wakefield, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Star Timu, 22 Penikolo Latu
Referee: Garratt Williamson
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