The performance, and dare I say it the rare melee in the first half, went some way to appease fans who've waited most of the season for something to cheer about.
It was a rugged derby, the likes of which we haven't seen for some time. Manawatu were playing for a semifinal spot - Hawke's Bay for a piece of old-fashioned hometown pride.
Maybe the now defunct Manawatu Gorge had something to do with the fiery encounter - the two provinces are now further apart and we're witnessing some sort of geo-political angst.
Magpie Tony Lamborn was red-carded with a Manawatu player involved in the donnybrook. Both could face a few weeks on the sideline next year but the altercation certainly seemed to set the game alight.
From where I was sitting, the forever hirsute Richard Buckman was the pivotal player.
Foresight, raw aggression and a defence next to none. They're his unwavering hallmarks.
His consequent cult-figure status in this province is well-earned.
Sure, it's a results-based industry, but thanks regardless for the final hurrah chaps.
Here's hoping for a few more wins next season.
