Taniwharau have booked their semifinals spot in the WaiCoaBay club competition after pulling off a stunning 28-26 comeback win over the Otumoetai Eels in Huntly on Saturday.
Down by 20 points with 20 minutes left, the hosts at Davies Park put on four late tries to have the Eels leaving dumbfounded, with captain Josh Weeden missing a last-minute penalty attempt to draw the game.
With the wind at their backs in the first half, the Eels raced out of the blocks, as Taniwharau lost possession on their first set. Weeden gave a nice short ball and centre Mark Ballantyne ran a lovely hard line to open the scoring.
Eels hooker Tane Leef got easily out of dummy half to score and when Ballantyne latched onto a grubber to nab a double, the Eels were right in control, with the experienced Weeden pulling all the strings. Right on halftime centre George Pouwhare looked to have scored but it was rules out by the officials.
The Eels players couldn't believe the call but they led 20-6 at the break.