An impressive second half performance has seen QBE Harbour overcome a six point deficit at the break to beat Premiership side Counties Manukau 28-20 in Albany.
The hosts were first to score after a scrappy 20 minutes through fullback Matt McGahan. Electric winger Tevita Li found some space down the left-hand touchline, and found McGahan lurking on the inside to see him score near the points. The momentum swung back the Steelers way after that though with Sam Henwood crossing after a long period of play, while Piers Francis kicked two penalties.
It could have been worse for Harbour heading into half-time, with Jordan Taufua getting agonisingly close to scoring, only for the TMO and referee Will Houston to rule he was held up.
That get out jail free card sprung Harbour into life in the second forty, with the wind at their backs at QBE Stadium. After a shaky night off the tee against Hawke’s Bay last week, Dan Halangahu was near perfect today, and opened the second half with a 45 metre strike to close the gap to 13-10.
Harbour then regained the lead through some magic work from Matt McGahan. The former Melbourne Storm product and good mate of new Harbour signing Matt Duffie broke Counties Manukau’s defence open down the right edge, before finding James Parsons ranging close to the line for the experienced hooker to score and hand Harbour a 17-13 lead.
The pendulum had well and truly swung in Harbour’s favour by this point, and Counties were clearly frustrated. Referee Will Houston grew impatient with the visitors infringing, and sent winger Sam Vaka to the sin bin. Halangahu kicked another penalty to make it 20-13 with 20 minutes to go.
But Counties didn’t roll over, and Houston reached to the pocket again sending Harbour flanker Chris Vui to the naughty chair for an early tackle. The Steelers capitalised on having an extra man at the scrum, which saw Houston award a penalty try to lock the score at 20-20.
Composure was key in the last few minutes, and it was Harbour who reaped the rewards of being patient on attack. Halangahu kicked yet another penalty to see the hosts up 23-20, before pinning the Steelers in the corner for an attacking lineout after another infringement. Harbour backed their steely set piece, which drove within inches of the try line before Harbour’s unsung hero Michael Little dived over to seal the result. It’s Harbour’s first win in six years over Counties Manukau.
The result moves Harbour up to fourth in the Championship for the time being.
QBE Harbour 28 (Matt McGahan, James Parsons, Michael Little tries; Daniel Halangahu 2 con, 3 pen), Counties Manukau 20 (Sam Henwood, penalty try tries; Piers Francis 2 con, 2 pen). HT: 7-13.
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