Black Fern Melodie Bosman bolstered the forward pack and gave it some momentum in Hawkes Bay's 13-12 victory over Otago in the national women's provincial championship match at Bathgate Park.
Otago had the better of the two packs in the muddy conditions throughout the first half despite trailing 8-7 at the break. But it went into its shell in the second half as Hawkes Bay rung the changes.
Otago was kept deep in the own have and forced to defend for most of the second half and were lucky not to have conceded further points, with Hawkes Bay Kicker Sylvia Bockman pushing two handy penalties wide of the posts.
But a spirited revival from Otago came too late as it screamed onto attack and scored through second five eighth Victoria Nafatili on the stroke of full time. However, the conversion went under the bar to deny Otago the victory and valuable championship points heading into the third round against Canterbury next weekend.
Scores: Hawkes Bay 13 (Kate Bradshaw, Amy Williams tries; Sylvia Bockman penalty), Otago 12, Gemma Tuhega, Victoria Nafatali tries; Nafatali conversion). Halftime: 8-7 Hawkes Bay. Referee Blair York (Canterbury).
