Hawke's Bay have defeated tenacious Southland 31-17 to retain the Ranfurly Shield on Saturday.
Initially the home side looked too strong at Napier's McLean Park, but a nice comeback in the second spell saw the Stags come within a try of pushing the match to golden-point extra time.
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However, replacement Sam Wye, on for Folou Fakatava, crossed at the end of sweeping movement in the last few minutes thanks to to seal the victory for the home side.
In control at halftime thanks to try from midfield back Nick Grigg as well as Welshman Mat Protheroe, Hawke's Bay were ahead at 16-7.
Although it should be noted that it was Southland prop Morgan Mitchell who actually scored the first try of the game at 20 minutes into the contest.
Earlier, Bay first-five Lincoln McCluthie had kicked two penalties, but suffered a couple of jitters later in the first half.
For Southland, midfileder Isaac Te Tamaki scored in the second half and had a good game for his side but it was the driving play of the home side who held together to retain the Shield.
There is no let up for the Magpies, with another Ranfurly Shield defence against Northland on Friday (kick-off 7.05pm), while the Stags return to Invercargill to face Taranaki on Saturday (kick-off 7.05pm).
The boot of William Havili was influential as Tasman defeated Canterbury 22-7 at Nelson's Trafalgar Park on Saturday.
Havili kicked five penalties and a conversion of hooker Sam Moli's try for 17 points, helping the Mako to their first victory over Canterbury since 2019.
A Havili penalty in the fourth minute and Moli's five-pointer, from a 10m lineout drive, put Tasman up 10-0 after 22 minutes, before another Havili penalty put the home side up 13 at the break.
Canterbury closed the gap when wing Ngani Punivai went over in the 46th minute, after some quick hands from J White, but Havili penalties in the 58th, 65th and 67th minutes sealed the victory.
Tasman travel to Pukekohe in Round 3, taking on winless Counties Manukau on Saturday (kick-off 2.05pm), while Canterbury start their 'Storm Week' with a clash against winless Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday (kick-off 4.35pm).
Northland registered their first victory of the season, and picked up a bonus point, with a 35-18 win over Manawatū in Whangārei on Saturday.
A penalty from Rivez Reihana and tries from No 8 Simon Parker and wing Heremaia Murray saw the Taniwha lead 17-3 at halftime.
James Tofa scored early in the second and Brett Cameron booted a penalty to get the Turbos within four, but penalties from Reihana and Dan Hawkins, followed by a penalty try secured the win, before flurry of scoring in the final minutes.
After 35 meetings, Northland now lead the all-time series 18-17.
Next week, Northland challenge for the Log o' Wood, while Manawatu will look to get their first win in the Capital, facing the Wellington Lions next Sunday (kick-off 2.35pm)
Hawke's Bay 31 (Mat Protheroe, Nick Grigg, Frank Lochore, Sam Wye tries; Lincoln McClutchie con, 3 pen) Southland 17 (Isaac Te Tamaki, Morgan Mitchell tries; Byron Smith con, pen, Jason Robertson con). HT: 16-7
Tasman 22 (Sam Moli try; William Havili con, 5 pen) Canterbury 7 (Ngani Punivai try; Isaac Hutchinson con). HT: 13-0
Northland 35 (Simon Parker, Heremaia Murray, Penalty Try, Nathan Salmon tries; Rivez Reihana 2 con, 2 pen, Dan Hawkins pen) Manawatu 18 (James Tofa, Vernon Bason tries; Brett Cameron con, 2 pen). HT: 17-3
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