North Harbour have beaten Wellington 40-37 to reach the final of provincial rugby's Championship.
North Harbour's Matt Vaega is tackled by Wellington's Wes Goosen. Photo: Photosport
Harbour had not defeated Wellington in 10 previous encounters, but turned the tables on the Lions in a close fought semi-final today in Wellington.
Tevita Li scored the opening try for Harbour before hooker Leni Apisai answered for Wellington after collecting a chip kick from first five Jackson Garden Bachop.
Garden Bachop kicked the conversion and two penalties to bring the scores level at 13-all in the 23rd minute.
Wellington winger Wes Goosen took the Lions into the lead with a try three minutes later after a break from his fullback, Jason Woodward and a lineout drive that traversed half the park.
Harbour flanker Glenn Preston restored scoreboard parity with a try on the stroke of half-time and the Bryn Gatland conversion gave the visitors a 20-18 half time lead.
North Harbour's Bryn Gatland kicks a conversion during the semi final. Photo: Photosport
Prop Nic Mayhew wrestled over the line to extend Harbour's advantage shortly after the restart before Wellington wing Joe Hill scored in the corner to finish a break from Vaea Fifita.
The teams drew level again in the 67th minute following a try from replacement front rower Asafo Aumua and the conversion from Garden Bachop.
But the equilibrium was short lived as Daniel Hilton Jones took the lead back for Harbour by completing a break by Li.
A Gatland penalty gave the visitors a ten point buffer that a try on the stroke of fulltime from replacement Wellington halfback Sheridan Rangihuna could not surpass.
Harbour will meet Otago in the final next weekend in Dunedin.