Waikato sneak through at Albany

11.00pm

WAIKATO 21 NORTH HARBOUR 17

Waikato emerged 21-17 victors over North Harbour at Albany tonight to secure a semifinals spot in rugby's NPC first division.

But a mainly dreadful match was marred by an appalling decision by officials to sin bin North Harbour's form lock Troy Flavell in the 56th minute.

Waikato's victory spared the competition the prospect of High Court action, as North Harbour were readying to mount a legal challenge after having four competition points stripped from them today over the Chad Alcock eligibility row.

That could have plummeted the competition into chaos but while a challenge will now be pointless, with North Harbour's season over, the NPC hardly emerged in shining colours.

Referee Kevin Rowe sent Flavell to the sinbin on a touch judge's report, with Flavell alleged to have thrown punches that didn't exist.

North Harbour were leading 17-14 and clung to the lead until just before Flavell's return, when a flat Derek Maisey pass sent wing Filimoni Bolavucu in for the winning try.

North Harbour may have been the architects of their own demise for not ensuring the paper work was completed on South African Alcock's transfer earlier this season.

But the match officials, likewise, have an obligation to be equally as vigilant in doing their job properly.

North Harbour had scored tries to Alcock and Anthony Tuitavake off the only two moments worthy of the first division to threaten an upset but Waikato scrambled home.

North Harbour's campaign had already hit the rocks before kickoff when Wellington won their appeal to overturn an earlier ruling on Alcock.

A New Zealand Rugby Union appeal committee overturned the decision to only fine North Harbour $7500 for playing the South African halfback in two matches before his international clearance had arrived.

That dropped North Harbour out of the pack of eight teams chasing semifinals places, the news being made public about seven hours before kickoff.

Waikato are in danger of missing out on a home semifinal after failing to gain a bonus point.

They can be overtaken by Canterbury, who play their final round robin match at home against Auckland tomorrow, and will sweat on the fitness of Loki Crichton, who suffered a hamstring injury.

NPC points table