Southland mounted a decent challenge for 40 minutes, but capitulated during the second half in Napier on Saturday.
Hawke’s Bay eventually overwhelmed the Stags to win 69-24.
Hooker Tyronne Thompson scored three tries — two from lineout drives and the other a variation on the same theme.
While that sounds really boring, the game was not.
Thompson did more than tuck in at the back of the maul.
He was strong over the ball and secured some telling turnovers. And the Bay was also able to score out wide as well.
Southland started brightly when halfback Jay Renton made a nice break down the middle.
The Stags went left and centre Matt Whaanga made a half break and got the offload to Rory van Vugt to score.
It was a quality opening to the game.
But Hawke’s Bay replied quickly through loosehead Pouri Rakete-Stones. He cut back in the midfield and charged towards the line looking every bit the centre.
Thompson scored the first of his three tries to give the home side a lead it would eventually expand to nearly 50.
But the Stags were firmly in the contest at halftime. They trailed 24-17, but had played their part in a sparkling 40 minutes.
They had fun out wide but no joy stopping the rolling mauls. Thompson bagged his second — a repeat of the first lineout drive — not long before the break.
Hawke’s Bay ran in six tries during the second half. Southland’s lack of depth was exposed in the final quarter.
It was pretty much the last chance the Stags had to rescue something from its season.
They have now lost all six games and are back in action on Wednesday when they will play Waikato in Hamilton.
Hawke’s Bay’s next defence is against Wellington on Saturday.
NPC
The scores
Tyronne Thompson 3, Ollie Sapsford 2, Kianu Kereru-Symes 2, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Brad Weber, Neria Fomai tries; Lincoln McClutchie 7 con, pen, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u con
Rory van Vugt, Robbie Robinson, Viliami Fine tries; Marty Banks 3 con, pen
