Hawke’s Bay keeps shield

Hawke’s Bay successfully defended the Ranfurly Shield for the 10th time this tenure when it defeated a gutsy South Canterbury side at McLean Park in Napier yesterday.

South Canterbury, which won the shield in 1950 and 1974, earned the right to challenge courtesy of winning the 2021 Meads Cup, the symbol of supremacy for Heartland teams.

The Magpies next defence will be against another Heartland team in Poverty Bay, which is scheduled for a trip to Napier on July 30.

Scores: Hawke’s Bay 38 (Sam Smith, Kienan Higgins, Connor McLeod 2, Caleb Makene, Paoraian Manuel-Harman tries; Lincoln McClutchie 4 con), South Canterbury 20 (Vaka Taelega, Paula Fifita, Theo Davidson tries; Sam Briggs pen, Willy Wright con). Halftime: 24-8 South Canterbury.