University A celebrate a try in their win over Kaikorai at University Oval. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Taylor Haugh in action against Kaikorai last year. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Harbour bust throught the middle of the Taieri defence. Photo: Gregor Richardson
Harbour will return to the final after holding off a late fight back from Taieri in the premier club semifinal at Peter Johnstone Park today.
No-one was picking the Hawks to win but they swept to a 25-3 halftime lead and held on to win 30-20.
Taieri scored a couple of consolation tries late in the game to close the margin.
But the Eels produced a bumbling display in the opening 40 minutes and will be reflecting on a buffet of mistakes which gifted the Hawks a significant head start.Harbour prop Giorgio Bower scored what proved to be the decisive points. He smashed through the defence and ran in from 20m to score midway through the second spell.
Taieri rallied from 30-8 down with tries to Shannon Young and Matt Whaanga, while Harbour was guilty of clocking off early but it had the match in hand by then.
In the other semifinal, University beat a valiant Kaikorai 21-20 in a dramatic match at the University of Otago Oval to clinch a pot in Saturday's final.The students lead 10-5 at halftime but two second half tries to Kaikorai set up a thrilling finish.