Magpies head coach Craig Philpott agreed Evans was the difference between the two sides.
"It would be nice to have him for more than two games a season," he quipped.
The scoring of 31 unanswered points during the first 17 minutes of the second half after trailing 17-0 at halftime was the key to the Magpies victory.
"We gave them most of those 17 points too. We spoke at halftime about it not being that big a mountain to climb ... we just had to be patient and hang on to the ball," Philpott said.
He agreed it was good to have the Magpies best backline available for the first time but pointed out three of them, halfback Brad Weber, second five-eighth Richard Buckman and centre Jonah Lowe played with injuries.
"They were gutsy and it shows their pride in the jersey. The three of them played with injuries for most of the season and it would have been nice to have Pasqualle Dunn coming off the bench but he was out with that shoulder injury from last week.
"That trophy [the Kel Tremain Memorial] is a special piece of silverware and it was good to retain it," Philpott added.
It was a pity the match was marred by an all-in brawl in the 34th minute which saw Magpies flanker Tony Lamborn red carded for punching and Turbos winger Newton Tudreu also red carded for kneeing an opponent during the brawl which showed how desperate both teams were for a win.
The Turbos needed only four competition points to secure a Championship semifinal but this was always going to be a tough ask in the wake of their 46-25 loss to Taranaki in Wednesday night's Ranfurly Shield challenge in New Plymouth.
Delighted Magpies captain and hooker Ash Dixon pointed out one of the key messages at halftime was to attack in the wide channels in the second spell as the Turbos would be tired after their shield challenge.
"We showed a lot of heart in that second half," Dixon said.
Buckman, who was close behind Evans in the battle for player-of-the-match honours impressed with his intelligent options. Winger Mason Emerson was again full of enthusiasm and deserved his two tries.
All of the Magpies forwards deserve praise for the guts and determination displayed in the quest for victory particularly after Lamborn was marched. Yes two wins in 10 outings isn't acceptable but finishing with an admirable second half display like yesterday's certainly is.
Former Magpies utility back Lewis Marshall, who played at centre for the Turbos, and Hawke's Bay age group product and former Baby Blacks prop, who played at hooker for the visitors, deserved their tries. Captain and openside flanker Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, a Super Rugby title winner with the Crusaders, was the best of the Turbos.
First five-eighth Jade Te Rure and substitute back Jason Emery had some classy moments for the Turbos.
Match highs
Heartstopper: The high tackle from Magpies first five-eighth Ihaia West in the 11th minute. While he conceded a penalty he was lucky it wasn't a yellow card which would have been disastrous so early in the match.
Turning point: Magpies No 8 Gareth Evans 41st minute try. It was the spark the hosts needed. They knew they had time on their side and the Turbos were going to run out of puff after playing on Wednesday night.
Player of the match: Evans. An outstanding 80 minutes in his first appearance since round one. Second five-eighth Richard Buckman was close behind him.
Scorers: Hawke's Bay 36 (Mason Emerson 2, Gareth Evans, Brad Weber, Richard Buckman, Jonah Lowe tries; Ihaia West 3 cons), Manawatu 31 (Lewis Marshall, Tim Cadwallader, Jason Emery, Jade Te Rure tries; Jade Te Rure pen, 3 cons; Emery con). HT: Turbos 17-0.
