A missed tackle from Northland B in the dying stages allowed Counties Manukau B to score the match-winning try despite trailing at half time.
The visitors won 30-27 at Okara Park, Whangārei in a match preceding the Northland v Auckland Mitre 10 Cup clash on Sunday. Counties took advantage of the hosts' poor discipline and sloppy defence and raced to a 17-0 lead inside the first quarter before Northland B found their mojo and hit back with three tries before halftime.
It wasn't until the 32nd minute before Northland B wing Renata Roberts-Tenana opened the scoring for the home side.
Fijian Tavite Gadeisuva fielded a clearance kick on his 10m line before flinging a pass to Roberts-Tenana who jinked his way past a number of Counties defenders and bolted 40m to score.
![Rugby - Northland v Counties Tim Blundell in the curtain raiser 26 August 2018 Northern Advocate Photograph by John Stone](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/NNAU2K3VVE3JMJMPHXX6KOIONI.jpg?auth=8f23c7e34c95960322f9faeb2328df958042fabd19c7a1672ffc7f127e84a06d&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)