A Joe Apikotoa 79th-minute try was enough for Hawke's Bay to claim the 'Battle of the Bay' bragging rights for 2018, as the Magpies prevailed 29-28 over Bay of Plenty in Napier.
The home side dominated the opening exchanges, running out to a 8-0 lead, before the Steamers could get out of first gear.
Hawke's Bay winger Jonah Lowe scored in the third minute, with Tiaan Falcon adding a penalty midway through the half.
Bay of Plenty halfback Richard Judd got his team going late in the half, after Mike Delany had closed the gap to two points with a pair of penalties.
Judd managed to break free from a ruck to get his side in front and with Delany adding the extras, the Steamers took a 13-8 lead into the sheds.
Hawke's Bay stormed to the front with back-to-back Brad Weber tries inside the first 11 minutes of the second half.
The one-test All Blacks halfback burst through a gaping hole to put the Magpies in front at the 49-minute mark, before a Lowe break set him up for his second two minutes later.
But the Steamers came storming back, scoring two tries in three minutes.
Judd scored his second of the match on the hour mark, followed by a 60-metre team effort that saw Delany crash over to give Bay of Plenty a three-point lead.
They extended the margin to six-points with nine minutes remaining and looked to be closing in on victory, before a 77th minute midfield penalty gave the home side a chance.
Playmaker Tiaan Falcon found touch five metres out and from the resulting lineout, prop Apikotoa crashed over next to the posts to draw Hawke's Bay to within one-point.
Falcon duly converted from in front and the game was all-but done.
Hawke's Bay extended their lead in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship, with three-wins from four.
Bay of Plenty remain in third spot with a 50 percent record.
Newshub.
