The home team led 33-17 with 30 minutes to play. The match looked over.
Otago had lost X-factor wing Jona Nareki and first five Cameron Millar to injury in the first half.
Then fullback Sam Gilbert limped off midway through the second half.
But the visitors kept battling and almost burgled a win in the final play of the game.
Midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen collected a poorly thought-out chip ahead and space opened up for the big guy. He got the ball to Finn Hurley, who dashed down the right wing before grubbering into the in-goal.
Paula Balekana could not gather it and Jack Leslie steamed passed and dived on the loose ball to score.
All Otago needed was for Hurley to knock over the sideline conversion to seal a remarkable turnaround, but he hooked the ball wide of the left upright.
Otago co-captain Sean Withy summed it up nicely in the post-match interview with the Sky commentary team.
"Everything was going against us for a wee bit there," he said.
"But we emptied the bench and had a few debuts.
"You can be gutted with some parts of our game, but to come back like that — I’m pretty proud of the boys."
The men in blue were able to reply quickly, however.
Nareki chipped ahead and the ball took a wicked bounce to the right. Hooker Henry Bell secured possession and No8 Christian Lio-Willie scooped the ball up from the breakdown and crashed over.
Nareki left the field shortly after, though. He was replaced by Jeremiah Asi, who made a good impression on debut.
Otago’s attack has been sluggish in the opening two games, but the side showed some sparkle in the next scoring movement.
Umaga-Jensen drew two defenders and got a lovely offload to Gilbert, who found wing Josh Whaanga and he sprinted to the line.
But that good work was undone. Flanders got a pinpoint pass from Harry Godfrey and ran through a gap. Chase Tiatia loomed up on his left, took the pass and scampered to the line.
Millar was assisted off the field shortly after with an ankle problem. Otago was down two key players and trailing 14-12.
Bell got sent to the sinbin moments later after collapsing a maul, and Hawke’s Bay capitalised from a 5m scrum.
Halfback Folau Fakatava threw a dummy then flicked the ball inside to openside Sam Smith, who went over.
It was painful stretch for Otago, and Hawke’s Bay added a fourth try before the break to take 26-12 lead into halftime.
Otago got an opportunity early in the second half and converted.
Asi made a strong carry and tighthead Saula Ma’u barrelled over from close range.
Otago was building nicely again but Hawke’s Bay snaffled the ball from a knock on and went 95m to score. Flanders was in support to take the last pass.
Gilbert limped off not long after that. But the visitors showed some resolve and Asi skipped over following a long build up.
The final moments of the game delivered plenty of drama, but not the win Otago was looking for.
— Otago A beat Otago Country 41-12 at Logan Park on Saturday.
Kaikorai wing Mefi Tupou bagged three tries in an impressive performance, and the loose forward trio of Lucas Casey, Harry Taylor and Will Stodart all stood out as well.
NPC
The scores
Hawke’s Bay 33
Devan Flanders 2, Chase Tiatia, Sam Smith, Ollie Sapsford tries; Lincoln McClutchie 4 con.
Otago 32
Christian Lio-Willie, Josh Whaanga, Saula Ma’u, Jeremiah Asi, Jack Leslie tries, Sam Gilbert con, Finn Hurley con, pen.
Halftime: 26-12
