NPC 2021: Tiaan Falcon goalkicking brings Hawke's Bay back in Golden Point thriller over Bay of Plenty

Replacement first-five Tiaan Falcon's boot has proved the decider, as Hawke's Bay snatched a 36-33 Golden Point victory over archrivals Bay of Plenty, retaining the Ranfurly Shield and grabbing NPC honours at Napier.

But more important, the Magpies have earned the right to be called 'THE Bay' for the next 12 months.

After 80 minutes, with the visiting Steamers 33-30 ahead, Falcon slotted a 40m penalty to lock the scores and force overtime under new NPC rules this season. 

While a draw has traditionally been enough for holders to retain the 'Log O' Wood', under the revised rules, the trophy also went to extra time for the first time.

Playing into the wind, Hawke's Bay pressed onto attack, looking for the deciding points, and were rewarded with another penalty near the goalposts, which Falcon duly converted to snatch the unlikely victory.

Along with the victory comes the treasured mantle of THE Bay, brought in the encounter by Bay of Plenty, after their 22-19 win last November.

The hosts seemed to grab the first real momentum of the match, after a seesaw opening half hour saw the rivals go try for try. Powerful winger Onisi Ratave scored a try to Bay of Plenty 19-14 up, but first-five Lincoln McClutchie's penalty closed the gap and a converted try to prop Pouri Rakete-Stones, put Hawke's Bay ahead.

Another McClutchie penalty gave the Magpies a 27-19 halftime lead - the biggest of the game - but midway through the second half, Sean Wainui brought the Steamers within a point with a converted try.

McClutchie cribbed three more points, but as the clock ticked down, Ratave stormed through some feeble defence to put Bay of Plenty ahead 33-30, before Falcon's heroics broke their hearts.

"Whenever we play BOP, we either get a hiding from them or they're pretty close games," reflected Hawke's Bay captain Ash Dixon. "There's nothing in it between us - it's pretty tit for tat.

"Fatigue set in a bit, we were blowing a bit.

"I said, 'there's only three points in it, let's get to the other end of the field and if we get an opportunity, we can kick it'.

"Tiaan's got a decent boot on him and he was hoping to get that moment - it's a moment he wanted."

THE Bay travel to Wellington ofr an NPC clash next Sunday, before defending the Shield against reigning NPC premiership champions Tasman on October 9.

Bay of Plenty have two weeks to regroup before they also take on Wellington on October 2.