Counties Manukau have broken their 2018 Mitre 10 Cup duck with a thrilling 29-25 win over Championship side Hawke's Bay.
Sitting at the foot of the Premiership table, the Steelers were desperate to make the most of the crossover fixture, played in front of a decent McLean Park crowd in sunny Napier.
Trailing 10-7 at halftime playing error ridden rugby, the visitors showed more discipline in the second half and lock Matiaha Martin's 78th minute try proved the knockout blow Counties had struggled to land.
Steelers wing Tevita Nabura bolted for a long-range opportunist try, slightly against the run of play, to open the scoring, but the riposte by Jonah Lowe was even more spectacular. The Hawke’s Bay flier latched onto a Stacey Ili grubber to toe the ball ahead, twice, before regathering for a stunning solo try.
The sides exchanged tries and penalty goals after the half before Bay halfback Folau Fakatava looked to have sealed the points for the Magpies with less than 10 minutes to play.
However Counties responded superbly, almost scoring through Orny Leger moments before Matins match winner.
Counties travel to Southland next weekend while Hawke's Bay host Bay of Plenty on Saturday.
Northland upset Taranaki
Elsewhere Northland also left it late in when they caused a massive boilover to upset Taranaki 18-17 in Whangarei.
Matt Wright landed a 30 metre penalty from a handy spot on the stroke of the final whistle to dent the highly fancied Bulls title hopes.
Northland have faced Premiership opposition in all three-games to begin 2018, suffering losses to Auckland and North Harbour before turning the tables on Taranaki.
With time up on the clock, and trailing by two points, Northland pressed slowly towards Taranaki’s line. Taranaki lock Jesse Paraete was pinged for leaving his feet at the ruck and Northland had a penalty out in front.
Wright duly knocked over the shot to claim the famous one-point victory and send the Toll Stadium faithful into raptures.
Next week the Ranfurly Shield is back on the line for Taranaki as they host Waikato at the Bull Ring while Northland take on Otago at Forsyth Barr-Stadium.
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