Final round scrap looms for Semifinal spots

6.00pm

A second half revival from Waikato saw them beat North Harbour 25-20 today keeping their NPC first division rugby semifinal hopes alive.

After trailing 3-17 at halftime, Waikato scored four tries in a thrilling second spell to keep them in touch with the competition leaders.

The result in Hamilton also set-up a dog fight for top-four placings heading into next weekend's final round with the competition table delicately poised.

Waikato took the maximum five-points and sit in fifth place on 26, one-point adrift of Canterbury, while North Harbour gained a bonus point to move to 26, but remain behind Waikato on points differential.

Bay of Plenty snuck into third spot on 28 points after downing Southland 38-20 yesterday, while Wellington top the table with 31 after dismantling winless Northland 65-12 in the capital.

Taranaki stemmed a run of consecutive hidings to beat Otago 31-14 on Friday to take second place.

North Harbour looked to have buried Waikato's playoff hopes with first-half tries to Craig Newby and Nick Williams and accurate kicking from Luke McAlister saw them hold a healthy 14 point lead at the break.

Waikato launched their offensive at Waikato Stadium knowing their season hung on the next 40 minutes.

That impetus quickly produced two tries to wing Sosene Anesi, one coming from another burst from blindside flanker Liam Messam.

McAlister added another penalty, but halfback-turned fullback Isaac Boss crossed for Waikato's third try.

Hill missed the conversion to leave the score tied at 20-all with 10 minutes remaining.

The comeback was sealed when referee Paddy O'Brien awarded Waikato a penalty, but instead of lining up a shot at goal, a quick tap and snappy passing saw flying wing Sitiveni Sivivatu slice through to score Waikato's fourth try.

Canterbury finally ended Auckland's hopes of an NPC title three-peat with their win at Eden Park in Auckland last night.

Auckland suffered their fifth loss in eight matches and now have no chance to reach the semifinals later this month.

The hosts led 10-9 at halftime and were still in the contest when first five-eighth Carlos Spencer scored a try beside the goalposts for them to trail 20-21 in the 77th minute.

Canterbury sealed their win when Scott Hamilton scored a try in the closing minute after fine lead-up work by wing Caleb Ralph and centre Casey Laulala.

In Rotorua Southland rallied from an early deficit to stay in touch with Bay of Plenty for most of the match before two late converted tries to Rua Tipoki and Grant McQuoid took the hosts to a flattering 38-20 victory.

Bay of Plenty led 7-3 at halftime after right winger Charles Baxter scored within two minutes following drives by prop Taufa'ao Filese and openside flanker Nili Latu.

Southland increased the tempo to score three second half tries as Bay of Plenty struggled to find their rhythm under lights at the International Stadium.

Bay of Plenty still picked up the required bonus point for their five tries-to-two victory although they were anything but convincing until the last five minutes when they scored two quick tries.

In Saturday's other match the result was never in doubt after Wellington led Northland 27-3 at halftime.

They scored six tries in the last 30 minutes to cruise to victory and maintain their lead.

It took Wellington nine minutes to make an impact on the scoreboard against Northland but after Piri Weepu's penalty, outside backs Lome Fa'atau, Conrad Smith and Sireli Bobo scored a try each.

After showing little urgency and imagination for the first 15 minutes of the second half, Wellington were stung into action by first five-eighth Riki Flutey.

He raced in for two quick tries as the forwards and backs combined in a display of delightful rugby.

Wellington then maintained the momentum to allow Nonu, flankers Scott Waldrom and Jerry Collins and replacement front rower Mahonri Schwalger to cross for tries.

On Friday, Otago's dismal season continued as they suffered their fifth loss after losing 14-31 to Taranaki in New Plymouth.

The only downside for Taranaki was their failure to secure a four-try bonus point, which could count later in a jam-packed playoff race, but they at least bounced back from consecutive 50-point thrashings to keep their NPC campaign on target.

- NZPA

NPC fixtures, results and standings
Division One | Division Two |