Hawke's Bay substitute back Gillies Kaka scored a try four minutes from time to deny Counties-Manukau a well-deserved win in the final round robin match of the national provincial rugby championship at Pukekohe today.
Counties trailed 15-24 at halftime but outscored their opponents 13-0 to lead 28-24 until the 76th
minute.
Counties fullback Tim Nanai-Williams, a try scorer in the first half, was instrumental in resurrecting his team's fortunes in the second, kicking two penalties and a conversion and setting up his side's second half try with a chip for wing Ahsee Tuala to score with.
Earlier, Counties No 8 Fritz Lee opened the scoring after centre Tana Umaga set it up with a pass to outstanding winger Sherwin Stowers.
Stowers and fellow Commonwealth Games rugby sevens gold medal winner DJ Forbes were thorns in the side of Hawke's Bay in a wide-open, evenly fought match.
A total of six tries were scored in the first 17 minutes alone as both sides opted to run the ball back at every opportunity.
Converted tries to first five Kahn Fotuali'i and lock Bryn Evans gave Hawke's Bay the lead at 14-5 before Nanai-Williams combined with Stowers to punch through the Hawke's Bay defence.
An unconverted try by Forbes put Counties back in front but this was shortlived as hardworking Hawke's Bay blindside flanker Michael Johnson dotted down for Mark Jacman to get his third conversion and then add a penalty just before the break.
The result sees Hawke's Bay finish eighth, Northland ninth and Counties 10th in the championship ahead of North Harbour, Tasman, Manawatu and Otago.
Hawke's Bay 31 (Kahn Fotuali'i, Bryn Evans, Michael Johnson, Gillies Kaka tries; Mark Jackman pen, 3 con, Daniel Kirkpatrick con) Counties-Manukau 28 (Fritz Lee, Tim Nanai-williams, DJ Forbes, Ahsee Tuala tries; Nanai-Williams pen, con). Halftime: 24-15.
- NZPA
