Hawke's Bay have consolidated their hold on a semi-final place in the provincial rugby competition, overcoming a slow start to eventually thrash bottom-placed Counties Manukau in Napier.
A hat-trick from Magpies winger Zac Guildford lifted the home side from a half-time lead of just five points, Hawke's Bay running away with it 54-8 in the end while keeping Counties scoreless in the second half.
Prop Faka'anaua Taumalolo opened the scoring while number 8 Thomas Waldrom got a brace and skipper Jason Shoemark also crossed for the Bay.
Simon Lemalu got Counties' lone five-pointer.
Taranaki host Auckland tonight in a virtual do-or-die semi-final match while top-placed Canterbury will be looking to seal a home play-off when Manawatu visit.
