Big day for the Bay

Nelson Bays beat Hawkes Bay 19-14 in the Air New Zealand National Provincial Championship (NPC) Second Division Final at Trafalgar Park in Nelson on Saturday, which earned them the right to challenge Northland for First Division status next week.

The match was an arm wrestle from start to finish, with neither side able to dominate for large periods.

Hawkes Bay outscored the home side two tries to one, but the goal kicking of Aaron Kimura proved the difference in the end with the centre kicking four penalties and a conversion.

The scorers:

For Nelson Bays:
Try: Clarke
Con: Kimura
Pens: Kimura 4

For Hawkes Bay:
Tries: Jane, Mudzumba
Cons: Hekenui, Clarke

* Poverty Bay will play in the Second Division in 2005, after convincingly beating Wairarapa Bush 37-14 in the Third Division final at Rugby Park in Gisborne on Saturday.

The scorers:

For Poverty Bay:
Tries: Momeke, Pone 2
Cons: Leighton 2
Pens: Leighton 6

For Wairarapa-Bush:
Try: Robinson
Pens: Rimene 3