Shield to stay in the Bay
Southland came ever so close to snatching the Ranfurly Shield off Hawke's Bay in the final challenge of 2014, however the Stags had to settle for a 20-all draw at McLean Park.
Southland fans would have been disconsolate, after Lima Sopoaga, who had another superior outing at flyhalf, kicked a long range penalty with roughly five minutes left to play.
However, any potential celebrations for the tourists were quickly muted, although they did have cause for joy at the end of the match.
The two competition points ensure that the Stags have qualified for the NPC Championship semifinals.
However for the Magpies, who will also play knockout rugby, might mark the stalemate to be as good as a win.
After defeating Counties at the end of August to claim the Shield, Hawke's Bay have repelled four challenges.
The Stags join Otago, Bay of Plenty and Wellington as unsuccessful contestants.
* Auckland picked themselves up and dusted themselves off after their midweek thrashing by Counties Manukau to assure themselves of a NPC semifinals berth in beating Northland 38-10 at Eden Park on Saturday.
* The Wellington Lions have saved their best for last, literally, with a six-try 58-34 demolition of North Harbour, where the home team put together a wonderful 43 point second half blitzkrieg to give their suffering fans plenty to cheer about.
All Saturday's scores and scorers!
Wellington 58-34 North Harbour
Scorers:
Wellington:
Tries: Garden-Bachop, Vito, Shields, Fafita, Filipo, Perenara
Cons: Ripia 3, Filipo 2
Pens: Ripia 6
North Harbour:
Tries: Ahki, Vaega, Takarangi, Li
Cons: McGahan 3, Halangahu
Pens: McGahan 2
Hawke's Bay 20-20 Southland (RS)
Scorers:
Hawke's Bay:
Tries: Chase 2
Cons: West 2
Pens: West 2
Southland:
Tries: Ngaluafe, Sopoaga
Cons: Sopoaga 2
Pens: Sopoaga 2
Auckland 38-10 Northland
Scorers:
Auckland:
Tries: Anscombe, Visinia, McCartney, Fox-Matamua
Cons: Anscombe 3
Pens: Anscombe 3, Visinia
Northland:
Try: John
Con: Hawkins
Pen: Hawkins
