21 Sep 2009

Hawkes Bay big moves after round eight

7:01 am on 21 September 2009

Northland finished the eighth round of the provincial rugby championship with a 25-18 victory over Manawatu in Palmerston North yesterday to move to 11th. one behind Manawatu.

.

Canterbury lead the compertition with 29 points, one ahead of Southland. with Bay of Plenty third on 25.

Hawkes Bay were the big movers, reigniting their semi-final hopes by jumping from eighth to fourth.

Their a bonus point home win over Otago helped and so did losses for the the four teams immediately above them -- Tasman, Auckland, Wellington and Taranaki.

North Harbour's win over Auckland at Eden Park leaves Auckland on 21 points level with Hawkes Bay but out of the top four on points diference.

North Harbour are now second to last on 12 points, one clear of Counties-Manukau.