Bay of Plenty ITM Cup utility Lance MacDonald scored in the last play of the game to give the province's development team a 23-all draw with North Harbour in their Northern Region clash in Katikati at the weekend.
A North Harbour try opened the scoring early in the first quarter before the home team regrouped, with Whakataki Cunningham using his raking kicks down field to good advantage.
A successful penalty from Cunningham saw Bay trail 7-3 at halftime.
Two early second-half penalties to Lewis Hancock put Bay in front before former Steamer Dan Goodwin grabbed his side's first try.
However, North Harbour penalty kicks took them to a 23-16 lead entering the last five minutes.
A powerful forward attack led by Jack Wilson and Matt Clutterbuck led to MacDonald crossing in the final play of the game, with Hancock's conversion earning the draw.
Team management singled out midfield back Courtney Mohi, along with a sterling tight forward performance from Matt Rolston, for praise. The Bay second XV will now prepare for their last game of the Northern Region competition this weekend, where victory over Auckland under-23 would see them finish the competition in second.
The Bay of Plenty under-18 team roared back into contention in the Northern Region title race when they posted an eight try victory against Northland in Rotorua.
Northland took the game to the home side in the first quarter before Bay prop L'Angelle Tutapakore crashed over for his side's first try. Bay of Plenty then upped the pressure to lead 25-10 at the break.
But the second half belonged to the home side, who took control to take out the encounter 51-15. Trent Davis, Beau Williams, Forrest Paul, Taylor Jones, Mason Walker, Timoti Marr and James Wilbore scored tries, with Mathew Cole slotting three conversions and Jordan Ngamata-Poi adding a penalty and a conversion.
Three quickfire tries in the second spell put Bay of Plenty under-20 team back into the match-up with Counties Manukau. Bay trailed 16-0 at halftime before Marnus Hanley, Andrew Tuise and Ken Tupuloa crossed for tries in the second spell.
But it wasn't enough as Counties fought back to win 35-17.
Another Bay side to impress on the weekend was the under-16 side coached by James Porter.
Facing North Harbour in the curtainraiser to the development game in Katikati, Bay were always in charge on their way to posting a 41-3 victory. Bay's six tries were led by Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi's double, with Mungo Mason, Ryubyn Vaipo, Dan Hollinshead and Brock Smith also dotting. Vaipo was in excellent kicking form with four conversions and a penalty.
Bay of Plenty rep rugby scores:
Bay of Plenty development 23 (Dan Goodwin, Lance MacDonald tries; Lewis Hancock 2 pens, 2 con, Whakataki Cunningham pen) North Harbour 23.
Under-20: Counties-Manukau 35 BOP 17 (Marnus Hanley, Andrew Tuise, Ken Tupuloa tries; Elijah Wilson-Haira con)
Under-18: Bay of Plenty 51 (Trent Davis, L'Angelle Tutapakore, Beau Williams, Forrest Paul, Taylor Jones, Mason Walker, Timoti Marr, James Wilbore tries; Mathew Cole 3 cons, Jordan Ngamata-Poi pen, con) Northland 15.
Under-16: Bay of Plenty 41 (Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 2, Mungo Mason, Ryubyn Vaipo, Dan Hollinshead, Brock Smith tries; Vaipo 4 con, pen) North Harbour 3.