Rugby: Harbour denied last-ditch victory

Tana Umaga of Counties is tackled. Photo / Getty Images

Counties Manukau survived a stern test by North Harbour before eking out a 24-23 victory in a ITM Cup match at Pukekohe today.

The result moved Counties into seventh place in the table on 29 points, one more than Wellington with three rounds of the regular season to go.

Counties took a 14-10 lead into the breather but North Harbour found something extra to outscore their opponents in the first 20 minutes of the second half through a try by halfback Chris Smylie and a Mike Harris penalty to a Dean Cummings penalty to lead 18-17.

But Counties fullback, Tim Nanai-Williams scored his second try, converted by Dean Cummings, to get his side in front again.

North Harbour hit back with a try in the 78th minute, a well-weighted Harris grubber chip piercing the Counties defence for winger Nafi Tuitavake to dot down in the corner and take the score to 24-23.

Harris who had not missed with any of his attempts earlier, having kicked two penalties and a conversion, saw his shot come off the near upright, ending Harbour's hopes of a win.

Earlier, the most popular try of the day came when former All Blacks skipper Tana Umaga ghosted through the Harbour defence for the opening try of the match in the 9th minute.

Nanai-Williams, who had a close to perfect day, kicked the first of his two conversions before scoring and converting his own try as Counties dominated the first half.

In reply, Harbour mustered a Harris penalty and a try to prop Ben Afeaki who finished off 12 phases of play.

Counties Manukau 24 (Tim Nanai-Williams 2, Tana Umaga tries; Nanai-Williams 2 con, Dean Cummins pen, con) 23 North Harbour (Ben Afeaki, Chris Smylie, Nafi Tuitavake tries; Mike Harris 2 pen, con).Halftime: 14-10.

- NZPA