It’s been a long time between drinks, but the Harbour faithful have been rewarded for their loyalty this afternoon as QBE North Harbour defeated Northland 44-28 at Toll Stadium in Whangarei.
It was a game of two halves in that Harbour's dominance in the first 40 was evident, and the 2nd half saw some scrappy rugby that is unlikely to end up in either Unions rugby CVs.
First blood went to Northland through Epineri Uluiviti crashing overt for the hosts after some quality backline play and supporting momentum. Peter Breen added the 2 and Northland were out to an early 0-7 lead after 3 mins.
However, that was the extent of the first half highlights from the Taniwha, and Harbour's composure shone. Gatland opened out account with a penalty, and Tevita Li created an opportunity by hitting a massive gap to run 40m and offload to Duffie for the first try of the afternoon for the visitors after 11 minutes. Another penalty from Gatland after another Taniwha indiscretion in their red zone, and when Northland 2nd 5/8 Hawkins put a high shot on the attacking Harbour backline, he was sent to the bin at the 22 minute mark.
Harbour made the most of the extra man immediately as Matt McGahan glided beautifully into the backline, and offloaded to Li to score Harbours 2nd try of the day after 28 mins, Gatlands conversion sailed left, and it was 18-7.
The Taniwha were their own worst enemies though. A knock on from their own lineout 5m from their own line set up Harbour for a midfield crash from Michael Little, and the ensuing 2nd phase seent Duffie over in the corner for his second. Gatland bought his sideline kicking boots, and made it 25-7 after 36.
From the restart, Northland managed to put a few good phases together from their own goal line, and made it to our 10m line before knocking on. Michael Little scooped up the ball and scampered 60m to score. The kick from Gatland was again superb from the sideline to make it 32-7 after 38 minutes, and you could see the momentum Harbour had gained was as obvious at the shoulders dropping among the Taniwha players.
The second half was a scrappier affair with plenty of turnovers and 50/50 balls going to ground from both sides, and it wasn’t until the 50th minute that Harbour lifted again, likely as a result of Ray Niuia returning to the field after a season on the sideline. 3 minutes later Connor Collett scored a sensational try to cap off a magnificent season, off the back of a length of the field effort through half the teams hands. Gatland added the extras again, and one got the feeling the damage was done and at 37-7, Northland would struggle to come back from here.
Ross Wright went over for the Taniwha after a well worked forward drive, Breen added the 2 to make it 37-14, and when Fa’atau was binned for an infringement in our red zone after a team warning, Alaimalo scored after a lot of hard work from the northland forward pack in our 22.
Karl Tu’inukuafe scored at the 75th minute to add to the Front Row Clubs try tally of the year, and McGahan converted to make it 44-21.
Northlands last gasp was a try to Lawebuka in his blazer game, duly converted, but it was our day, and after 80 minutes we’d booked a date with Wellington in the Mitre 10 Cup semi final next weekend!
LETS GO BOYS! FINISH THIS SEASON OFF THE WAY WE ALL DESERVE!
North Harbour 44 (Matt Duffie 2, Tevita Li, Michael Little, Connor Collett, Karl Tu'inukuafe tries; Bryn Gatland 3 con, 2 pen, Matt McGahan con)
Northland 28 (Epineri Uluiviti, Ross Wright, Solomon Alaimalo, Waisea Lawebuka tries; Peter Breen 4 con)
HT: 32-7
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