Steady Glen Jackson, who pulled Bay of Plenty out of several tight matches this season, did it again today to win them a semifinal berth in the division one national rugby championship.
He scored a try and kicked two conversions for nine points to help beat North Harbour 14-9 at Albanyand win the race for the final spot in next weekend's play-off.
The victory helped BOP finish second equal with Canterbury on the points' table with 32 points each but take third place for the playoff, which means they have to travel to Christchurch to take on Canterbury in next Saturday's semifinal.
Wellington, who finished first, will play fourth-placed Waikato in Friday's semifinal at the Westpac Stadium.
In division two, Hawke's Bay beat Counties-Manukau 41-20 and will play Nelson Bays in the final in Nelson on Saturday.
Nelson Bays beat North Otago 32-15 in the other semifinal in Nelson yesterday.
Poverty Bay will host Wairarapa-Bush in the division three final in Gisborne, also on Saturday.
Poverty Bay beat Horowhenua-Kapiti 22-13 and Wairarapa-Bush beat Mid Canterbury 16-9 in yesterday's semifinals.
BOP led just 7-6 at halftime today when Jackson sold a nice dummy from first five-eighth and stepped through from about seven metres after they chose to go for a lineout from a penalty.
They 34th minute converted try put them into the lead for the first time in the game. North Harbour's points came from two Luke McAlister penalty goals.
McAlister kicked the homeside into the lead again nine minutes from halftime but BOP's persistence in exploiting the short side of the rucks and mauls were rewarded in the 56th minute when winger Anthony Tahana found his way through.
Jackson converted the try and the scores didn't change despite both teams coming close to the line on at least two occasions each as they desperately chased a semifinal place.
BOP 14
(Glen Jackson, Anthony Tahana tries; Jackson 2 con)
