Shield to stay in Taranaki

Taranaki outplayed Hawke's Bay in an entertaining game in New Plymouth which saw the amber and blacks secure the Ranfurly Shield in the last game of league action this season.

Young flyhalf Beauden Barrett played a pivotal role for Taranaki once more and his 19 points through his trusty boot was vital in the comprehensice 29-11 victory. Hawke's Bay started brightly but they struggled to make their dominance felt on the scoreboard  before Taranaki hit their stride.

Tries to Frazier Climo and Jayden Hayward both scored tries to add to the five penalties that came from Barrett's steady boot and they cruised to victory and keep hold of the Ranfurly Shield.

Bay of Plenty outscored their opponents by four tries to three on their way to recording a solid 29-17 victory over relegated Southland in their NPC match in Invercargill on Sunday.

The visitors scored two tries in each half with centre Phil Burleigh getting over for two, Southland fought hard in their last game but Bay of Plenty were simply too clinical and always looked in control.

Bay of Plenty had the bulk of both territory and possession and effectively killed the game off when Sam Cane scored a long range try to make the score 29-12, Southland hit back after that but it was too late to overhaul the deficit.

Taranaki 29-11 Hawke's Bay

The teams:

Taranaki: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Jackson Ormond, 13 Willie Rickards, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Frazier Climo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Ben Souness, 7 Scott Waldrom,  6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Craig Clarke (captain), 4 Jason Eaton, 3 Shane Cleaver, 2 Laurence Corlett, 1 Michael Bent.
Replacements: 16 Timo Tutavaha, 17 Carl Carmichael, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Samuela Vunisa, 20 Brett Goodin, 21 Jack Cameron, 22 Kurt Baker, 23 Willie Ioane.

Hawke's Bay: 15 Mark Jackman, 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 12 Andrew Horrell, 11 Gillies Kaka, 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9 Chris Eaton, 8 Karl Lowe, 7 Adam Bradey, 6 Trent Boswell-Wakefield, 5 Bryn Evans (captain), 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hikairo Forbes, 1 Kas Lealamanua.
Replacements: 16 Danny Logan, 17 Brendon Edmonds, 18 Maselino Paulino, 19 Hugh Reed, 20 Isaac Paewai, 21 Tua Saseve, 22 Sinoti Sinoti, 23 Jody Allen.

Referee: Mike Fraser

Southland 17-29 Bay of Plenty

The teams:

Southland: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Cardiff Vaega, 11 Tim Cornforth, 10 James Wilson, 9 Scott Cowan, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 Tom Chamberlain, 6 John Hardie, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Nick Barrett, 2 Brayden Mitchell, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Chris King, 18 Ben Nally, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Sonny Rangitohereri, 21 Tony Koonwaiyou, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Michael Peterson.

Bay of Plenty: 15 Toby Arnold, 14 Ben W Smith, 13 Phil Burleigh, 12 Jason Hona, 11 Lance MacDonald, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Josh Hall, 8 Colin Bourke (captain), 7 Luke Braid, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Leon Power, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Daniel Perrin,1 Bronson Murray.
Replacements: 16 John Pareanga, 17 Tristan Moran, 18 Luke Andrews, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Lewis Hancock, 21 Daniel Waenga, 22 Nick McCashin, 23 Pingi Tala'apitaga.

Referee: Vinny Munro

The scorers:

For Bay of Plenty:
Tries: Burleigh 2, Cane, Smith
Cons: Noakes 3
Pen: Noakes

For Southland:
Tries: Robinson, Hardie, Vaega
Con: Wilson