Waikato snatch an important win

Harbour lose the battle - but the war is still going well

Waikato managed to reverse a 17-3 half-time deficit to record an impressive 25-20 over North Harbour in Hamilton on Sunday, a result that leaves both sides tied on 26 points in the NPC table, and just outside the all-important top four slots.

It was the home side who drew first blood on Sunday, via a David Hill penalty in the fifth minute.

All Black Craig Newby responded for the visitors by sneaking through the ponderous Waikato defence from a quick tap-penalty.

Luke McAlister converted and Harbour were out to a 7-3 lead.

Harbour got their second try on the cusp of half-time, after video replays deemed that No.8 Nick Williams had managed to ground the ball, and Harbour went into the break with a handsome lead.

Waikato came flying out of the blocks in the second half, and a deft Keith Lowen grubber was picked up by Liam Messam who set Sosene Anesi on his way to the line.

McAlister then pulled back another penalty for Harbour, but Anesi soon grabbed his second - albeit with a dubious touch-down -  and the gap was cut down to 20-15.

A covering tackle by McAlister then knocked the ball out of Lowen's hands as he reached for the line, but the Mooloo men soon had their third try after a Derek Maisey pass found Issac Boss in space.

Hill missed the conversion from out wide and the scores were locked up at 20-20.

Harbour had a chance to take the lead with five minutes left but All Black Nick Evans knocked the ball on with a clear run to the line.

Waikato were awarded a penalty 40 metres out with a minute left, but the home side turned down the shot at goal.

The decision proved to be the right one, as a quick tap-penalty saw the ball spread out wide and found Sitiveni Sivivatu who ran straight through the Harbour defence and in for the winning try.

Next weekend, the last round of the regular NPC season, sees Waikato travelling to second-placed Taranaki, and North Harbour entertaining Bay of Plenty who are lying third.

The scorers:

For Waikato:
Tries: Anesi 2, Boss, Sivivatu
Con: Hill
Pen: Hill

For North Harbour:
Tries: Newby, Williams
Cons: McAlister 2
Pens: McAlister 2