Hawke's Bay has taken control of its Air New Zealand Cup clash against Tasman and has convincingly won 41-6 in Blenheim.

The superior class of the Magpies was clear from the beginning of the match and it didn't take long for the visitors to chalk up the first points of the evening when first five-eighths Matt Berquist nailed a dropped goal from 45 metres out.

However, Tasman was able to hit back moments later when the Magpies gave away a penalty and allowed first five-eighths Miah Nikora to equal the scores at three apiece.