North Harbour first-five Bryn Gatland has kicked a drop-goal with seconds remaining to send North Harbour into the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership next season.
Gatland calmly slotted the drop-goal from 30 metres out as the clocked counted down to give his side an upset 17-14 win over Otago in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship final in Dunedin.
Michael Little (Photosport)
Michael Little was the star of the game for Harbour, putting his body on the line countless times to show he deserves a Super Rugby contract in 2017.
Little was big on defence also, as Harbour made a game-high 125 tackles.
Things did not start well for North Harbour when Fa'asiu Fuatai scored in the left corner inside the first two minutes.
North Harbour flanker Glenn Preston was then sent to the sin-bin for collapsing a maul, but that seemed to spark Harbour's fight back into the game.
Bryn Hall (Photosport)
After a lengthy review, Michael Little was awarded Harbour's only try of the match as he somehow managed to put the ball on the line while getting dragged into touch.
Two Gatland penalties sent Harbour into the break leading 11-7.
Gatland extended the lead to seven, landing another penalty after the break.
Otago then tied things up with towering lock Tom Franklin powering his way over the line.
Former All Black Andrew Hore then entered the match for his first game in the blue and gold since 2000.
Tevita Li (Photosport)
Inside the final 15 minutes, replacement first-five Scott Eade had two chances to win the game for Otago but pushed both kicks wide of the posts.
A bad mistake by Otago gave Harbour great field position, and that gave them chance to snatch victory at the death, as Gatland kicked a drop goal with seconds to go to win the match.
North Harbour next year will play in the Premiership in 2017, replacing Hawke's Bay who have been demoted to the Championship.
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