Poor discipline, soft carries and the inability to string phases together had them 13-10 behind at the interval. But when they increased the tempo in the second half they collected maximum points yet again and retained the Hawke's Bay Challenge Shield.
Havelock North deserved praise for their first-half effort. Their defensive line speed was spot on until the 39th minute and there was plenty of aggression in all aspects of play.
However they couldn't hide their disappointment about the way their defensive systems were splintered in the second half.
Flanker Liam Murphy was the best of the visiting forwards and while winger Shannan Chase scored a couple of good tries he will be concerned about the manner in which Donaldson scampered around him to score.
MAC 28 Tamatea 26
Players taking the field without a mouthguard can expect to be pinged and Tamatea coach Adam McDonald said his team learned the hard way in this last-minute loss at Bill Mathewson Park.
"We led all the way but a couple of late decisions cost us, including being penalised when one of our subs took the field with no mouthguard.
"That led to MAC's winning try ... our streak could have ended," McDonald said referring to the team's 59 consecutive losses to date.
"We were lucky to win," MAC manager Narley Tuliau said while taking experienced loosie Api Sione to hospital with a broken arm.
Fellow loosies Fale Matamata and Ramiha Smiler were inspirational in the MAC pack. Centre William Schuster was constructive in the visiting backline.
Halfback Wayne Nikora produced a player-of-the-match display for Tamatea. Second five-eighth Jordan Harmer and frontrowers Johnny Mullany, Te Maangi Hamlin and Alex Kireka-Starnes all featured on McDonald's MVP list.
Pirate 39 Clive 22
Defending champions Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports kept their semifinal hopes alive at Tamatea Park.
Promising prop Pouri Rakete-Stones and No8 Aaron McPhee led the host pack by example. Second five-eighth Hayden Hann and winger Naua Auisele were both thirsty for work and deserved their braces.
Lock Ben Taylor had his best game of the season in the K9 Petfoods Clive engine room where captain and hooker Jorian Tangaere was again prominent. Starting halfback Moses Riley made the most of his late call up.
Hastings 40 Tech 32
Powerful No8 Danya Tulou celebrated his return from a two-year stint in France by helping Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports move into third place on the table with this Whitmore Park victory.
Tulou pushed loosehead prop Jason Long hard for player-of-the-match honours.
Second five-eighth Neria Fomai was again a rock in the Hastings backline.
Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical manager Cyril Whitburn said the Texans were unlucky not to secure two bonus points. Flanker Todd Cushing, hooker Matt Myers and prop Lani Lati provided plenty of grunt to a pack with Magpies prop Tolu Fahamokioa at No8.
Fullback Tane McGuire was the pick of the Tech backs.
Taradale 36 Central 15
Carters Frame and Truss Taradale pivot Gregor McNeish kicked 21 points in this win at Waipukurau's Central Park.
The next best 10 in the comp behind Lauano, McNeish succeeded with eight of his nine attempts at goal. Experienced centre Josh Mahoni was again classy in the winning backline and fullback Dan McIntyre scored two tries against his former club.
Northfuels Central did well to lead 15-10 at halftime before producing what manager Ian Large described as their worst second half of the season. Prop Ratu Apolosi and hooker Hamish Carroll were the pick of the Central forwards and centre Kody Lancaster the best of the backs.
