A three-try spree in the space of 10 minutes handed the Magpies a 36-14 victory and means they need one more successful defence to take the Log O' Wood home for the summer.
The loss was an eighth straight for Wellington and, like many of their problems during this annus horribilis, they were major contributors to their own downfall.
For 38 minutes the Lions defended stoutly, looking nothing like the side that had shipped 143 points in their previous three matches. But all the good work was squandered in a moment of madness from Vaea Fafita.
Cruelly for the young lock, he had been enjoying an outstanding game as halftime beckoned. A vicious shoulder charge, however, left Gareth Evans with a suspected broken collarbone and left Fafita fortunate to avoid red.
The yellow was detrimental enough to his side's cause, with Fafita forced to watch helplessly as a 9-7 lead quickly became a 28-9 deficit.
In fairness to Hawke's Bay, they might have broken down Wellington even without Fafita's brain explosion. The Magpies were playing at the right end, had total ownership of the ball and, through Evans, led early.
But the home side were lacking a spark. That was eventually provided by the opposition, with Brendon O'Connor turning down the resulting penalty and crossing himself to seize control.
The tide had turned and Wellington soon became the latest victims of Hawke's Bay's explosive backline. A Ryan Tongia double was sandwiched by Tony Lamborn's try, giving Southland the last chance to snatch the Shield from the Magpies' grasp.
Hawke's Bay 36 (Evans, O'Connor, Tongia 2, Lamborn tries; West 3 cons, Berquist pen) Wellington 14 (Proctor try; Ripia 3 pens) HT: 14-9
- By Kris Shannon of APNZ
