Auckland have only just held on to a slender 25-24 victory in Napier against Hawke’s Bay this evening. 

The home side had the opportunity to take the victory with a penalty in the last play of the match only for Ihaia West’s shot to draft past the uprights.

Hawke’s Bay led from early in the match, Auckland keeping in touch through the reliable boot of Simon Hickey. Two late tries to Greg Pleasants-Tate and Vince Aso were enough to seal the result.

West opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a penalty and minutes later went over for a try after charging down a Jono Hickey clearing kick.

Akira Ioane looked menacing throughout and regularly gave Auckland some go forward. Simon Hickey got Auckland on the scoreboard with a penalty midway through the half, with Hawke’s Bay leading 8-3.

Auckland looked like their first try might be on the cards after Hickey bumped off Brad Weber in the midfield before putting a tidy kick upfield for Vince Aso to chase. It was all on but Aso was just beaten to the ball by Hawke's Bay's Mason Emerson.

At the other end of the field Ryan Tongia was in for a try, only for the TMO to rule that Jonah Lowe stepped out before sending his pass in. West was able to convert a late penalty though to extend the half time lead out to 11-3.

In the second half Hickey was able to chip away at the Hawke’s Bay lead with two early penalties. Joe Ravouvou combined with Ioane and Greg Pleasants-Tate, who added some energy when he joined the game, and went close to scoring.

Instead it was Hawke’s Bay who were able to extend their lead, lock Mark Abbott burrowing over from close range to put the score out to 18-9.

Once again Hickey responded with a penalty before Auckland was finally able to open up the Hawke’s Bay defence.

An offload from Akira Ioane to Vince Aso saw the second five-eighths slice through the defence before linking with Pleasants-Tate who showed impressive speed to get away to the try line.

This time it was West to respond with a penalty, but Auckland replied in favour.

Taleni Seu broke through the middle of the ruck in a powerful bust, Leon Fukofuka then found Vince Aso who flew over in the corner, putting Auckland ahead for the first time in the match.

Hickey couldn’t land the sideline conversion so the lead was short lived when West kicked over a penalty minutes later.

That lead didn’t last long however, momentum shifting back to Auckland with another Hickey penalty, 25-24. He had the chance to close the game out in the 77th minute but Hickey’s attempt fell clear.

When West lined up a penalty as the last play of the match it looked as though the match was gone, but like Hickey’s before him, West’s shot sailed across the uprights.

The win is Auckalnd’s third in a row, the team travel home to host Waikato on Sunday.

Auckland 25 (G Pleasants-Tate, V Aso tries, S Hickey 5pen)
Hawke's Bay 24