Rugby: North Harbour spring surprise on Auckland

North Harbour's Viliame Ma'afu in action against Auckland in today's 'battle of the bridge' clash at Eden Park. Photo / Getty Images

North Harbour stemmed the bleeding to register a long overdue Air NZ Cup rugby success with a dogged 16-14 win over Auckland today.

They hauled themselves off the bottom of the standings with just their second win in eight outings, and their first since the competition opener against Canterbury.

With Auckland continuing a season-long trend of frequently infringing at the breakdown, three penalties from first five-eighth Mike Harris kept North Harbour in contention before they hit the lead for the first time midway through the second spell at Eden Park in Auckland.

North Harbour snuck in front 16-14 after a fine try to second five-eighth Andrew Mailei following clever play by Rudi Wulf, Jack McPhee and George Pisi which had helped make up for a loose pass on their own side of halfway.

North Harbour held the upperhand entering the last 10 minutes, although Harris missed an opportunity to extend the lead when a 42m penalty attempt drifted to the right.

But they entered the closing minutes buoyed by the prospects of an unexpected win and were helped by Auckland's jittery play as Winston Stanley dropped a pass when under no pressure.

North Harbour halfback Chris Smylie conceded a free kick for delaying his scrum feed with time almost up but Auckland could not take advantage, coughing up possession as they sought to position themselves for a dropped goal.

There had been little to recommend either side in the first half, an uninspiring, disjointed affair pock-marked by repeated scrum collapses and breakdown infringements.

Auckland probably deserved to be ahead 11-6 at the interval if for no other reason than they scored the only try.

Even that came about more by accident than design after a long, raking punt by halfback Taniela Moa gave them a lineout feed deep inside the North Harbour 22.

But hooker Tom McCartney's long throw evaded his jumpers and Auckland only retrieved the ball due to the alertness of first five-eighth Daniel Bowden, who suffered a match-ending ankle injury for his efforts.

Auckland spun the ball right where quick hands presented fullback Paul Williams with a big hole through which he burst to score.

North Harbour had their best chance late in the half only for a determined Williams to deny Smylie on the line following a concerted buildup as the visitors finally strung together a series of phases.

North Harbour 16 (Andrew Mailei try; Mike Harris 3 pen, con) Auckland 14 (Paul Williams try; Daniel Bowden 2 pen, Ash Moeke pen). Halftime: 6-11.

- NZPA