The half-time break produced a response from the home side who returned to the field with better concentration setting up a chance after a long pass to Stevenson on the left touch from prop Sione Mafileo. With Hawke's Bay cover across, Stevenson placed a grubber infield, burst past defenders and gained a favourable bounce to score and reclaim the lead.

North Harbour's frustration resulted in an attempted Garryowen rather than a kick to touch. But it was a classic case of giving the ball away, something Ihaia West recognised. He put the kick through for second five-eighths Richard Buckman, who was on the left wing, and he cut infield. Substitute forward Joshua Eden-Whaitiri was on hand to take the play forward and then the loose forwards Tony Lamborn and Josh Renton passed the ball on and from the ruck on the line it was prop Jason Long who scored.

North Harbour's cause wasn't helped when No.8 Hapakuki Moala-Liavaa was sin-binned for a late tackle on halfback Brad Weber and West landed the penalty goal to go to a 31-24 lead.

But a lineout won from the restart saw a pass from lock Gerard Cowley-Tuioti to Duffy, standing at first receiver. He used his feet to open up a brilliant gap and put the accelerator to the floor to clear out on a 40m break to the goalposts.

It proved a decisive score in the final outcome, even if subsequent penalty goals were exchanged, two to Gatland and one to West.

North Harbour 33 (Penalty try, Shaun Stevenson, Matt Duffie tries; Bryn Gatland 2 con, 4 pen)
Hawke's Bay 30 (Ash Dixon, Cardiff Vaega, Jason Long tries; Ihaia West 3 con, 2 pen).

HT: 13-17