Celebrations continued long into the night at the Gintrap bar in Ahuriri as 44 years of Ranfurly Shield pain was washed away with a nailbiting Magpies win over Otago.
Hawke's Bay Rugby Union members and fans rode the rollacoster, as every play and bounce of the oval ball brought further excitment and anticipation.
As the game's momentum shifted from Otago to Hawke's Bay and back so did the emotions of the 100 or so fans. Oohs and aahs were accompanied by screams of ecstasy and disappointment as the live action was broadcast across the pub's big screens.
At halftime, with the score in Hawke's Bay's favour at 13-9, the tension inside the bar rose as the faithful sensed a rare chance to snatch New Zealand rugby glory.
The crowd grew jubilant and began to celebrate after first five Ihaia West produced some individual brillance to score under the posts and extend the lead to 20-9. "Not long now," were some of the murmours from the crowd. "It's ours, we might just win this," said one fan.