Third time unlucky for Mako

The wait continues.

The Tasman Mako fell short in just their third attempt at the coveted Ranfurly Shield, losing 34-22 to the Magpies in Napier this afternoon.

It has been almost ten years since the Mako last had a shot at the Shield, a 49-40 loss to Taranaki in 2012.

While Tasman have enjoyed huge success recently with back-to-back NPC titles, the Log of Wood has, and continues to, elude them.

Hawke's Bay struck first at McLean Park in stunning style, breaking out from inside its own 22 as Ereatara Enari capped off some superb interplay to put first points on the board.

Mitch Hunt opened the Mako account with a penalty, but the Bay immediately replied with a second try through flanker Brendon O'Connor.

Hawke's Bay was all over the visitors in the opening quarter, Lolagi Visinia finishing off another scorching Magpies’ movement.

Compounding Tasman's woes, co-captain Quin Strange left the field through injury.

Hunt brought the Mako back into the contest with back-to-back penalties but the Magpies’ surged again, Stacey Ili scoring his side's fourth.

A brilliant-angled run from Tasman No 8 Shannon Frizell saw Tasman finally crack the host’s defense in the 34th minute to reduce the margin to eight.

Hunt's fourth penalty goal brought the Mako to within five points at halftime, trailing 24-19 despite being thoroughly outplayed for most of the first 40.

The skipper nailed a fifth after the break but the pendulum soon swung back to Hawke's Bay when Neria Fomai scored in the corner.

A late Tiaan Falcon penalty sealed the victory and continued the lengthy reign for Hawke's Bay.

It was 1974 when the region last tasted Shield glory with Marlborough winning the Log of Wood the previous year and defending it on six occasions.

Scorers: Hawke's Bay 34 (Enari, O'Connor, Visinia, Ili, Fomai tries McClutchie 3 cons, Falcon 1 pen) Tasman 22 (Frizell try, Hunt 5 pens, 1 con). HT: 24-19