The 'Log o' Wood' marches on...

Defence ran strongly through the ranks of both sides in a tight first half at the Forsyth Barr Stadium as Hawke’s Bay challenged Otago for the coveted Ranfurly Shield.

A war of attrition characterised the opening forty minutes and the teams jogged off to the shed with only a single point separating them (7-6 in favour of the Bay) after Lolangi Visinia finished off some great play in 35^th minute for the first try of the game while Josh Ioane slotted two penalties for Otago.

The Magpies shifted into another gear in the second stanza and set about orchestrating the downfall of Otago as they systematically built their score through crafty attack against a still respectable Otago defence.

When the wily Folau Fakatava dived over after a clever quick tap and impressive 40m run, Otago began to look rattled.

Shortly after the commencement of the final quarter, Vilimoni Koroi was issued his marching orders after taking a player out in the air.

With the ‘Log o’ Wood’ looking more and more vivid in the minds of the Magpies, they threw all they had left at the remainder of the game and ran in two more tries to allow Ash Dixon, who enjoyed his 100th game for the team, to lift the shield after the final whistle.

Folau Fakatava was a stand-out performer as his teammates fed hungrily off his fine energy and work-rate.

The Ranfurly Shield thus marches on to McLean Park, much to the delight of the Magpies and their supporters.