Giant-killing Bay at it again

Napier's reputation as the rugby graveyard of Air NZ Cup high-flyers was enhanced tonight after Hawke's Bay repelled North Harbour 35-25.

Three tries in four minutes late in the first half catapulted Hawke's Bay to another famous win at McLean Park, the scene of their 8-6 upset of Wellington two weeks ago.

A bonus point means they are guaranteed to stay in the top four for another week and it is hard to discount them as semifinal prospects such was the energy of their performance.

A Harbour side who relied on 20 points from winger Jack McPhee, opened up a 15-3 in the first quarter of the match but appeared powerless to halt the fitter, more enthusiastic hosts beyond then.

Three rapid-fire Hawke's Bay tries turned the game on its head and the hosts had the better of the second half although they spent the final 10min hard on defence.

It was Hawke's Bay's first-ever win over Harbour in nine meetings. Harbour won the first seven while the teams drew when they last met, in 2001.

Harbour fullback George Pisi was the catalyst for two tries as his side opened up a 12-point lead in the first quarter of the game.

He instigated a neat blindside scrum move that gave fullback Daniel Deveraux a clear run to score before cutting onto an inside pass from brother Tusi Pisi in a move that ended with McPhee diving on a loose ball over the line.

McPhee's second penalty was Harbour's last act before momentum swung completely as the bigger visiting pack appeared to run out of steam.

Hawke's Bay centre Jason Shoemark burst onto a delightful cutout pass from halfback Danny Lee and straight through the Harbour midfield to score on the half-hour mark.

A minute later speedy openside flanker Karl Lowe swooped on a messy Harbour lineout tap and raced 50m to score.

A freakish 19-point burst ended when electric teenage winger Zac Guildford won the race to a kick to cap a sweeping move for a 25-15 halftime lead.

The hosts dominated the first 15min after halftime so it was a surprise when McPhee crossed for his second to reduce the margin to three points.

Hawke's Bay first five-eighth Matt Berquist -- who compiled 15 points with the boot -- and McPhee traded penalties before a crucial try to Bay reserve loose forward George Naoupu.

Harbour failed to clean up a charged-down kick near their own line, with the fumbles of winger Viliame Waqaseduadua allowing Naoupu to flop on the ball.

Hawke's Bay spent the final stanza defending their line, denying the visitors a bonus point.

It was Harbour's first loss of the season, although they have record two draws along with a solitary win over Taranaki.

They will need to overhaul their form if they are to retain the Ranfurly Shield in next Saturday's challenge from Waikato.

Hawke's Bay are to face Counties Manukau in Auckland on Thursday.