North Harbour again failed to flatter despite beating Manawatu 20-17 in an Air NZ Cup rugby match in Palmerston North tonight.
They secured just their second win in five outings this season against worthy opponents, with Manawatu unfortunate not to gain more from the game.
Both sides opted to keep the ball in hand, leading to a match full of sweeping movement but lacking fluidity due to a high error count.
Manawatu were enterprising throughout without possessing the cutting edge and finishing touches which could have tipped the match in their favour.
An unconvincing scrum meant North Harbour were placed under a lot of pressure at the set piece, but Manawatu were left to rue errors committed at the breakdown, which ruined momentum and gifted possession to the visitors.
Manawatu could and should have had their first try as early as the eighth minute but wing Andre Taylor could not hold on to the ball as he attempted an intercept.
North Harbour made no mistake the first time they threatened, as lock Anthony Boric showed tremendous determination and strength to carry the ball 20m to the line after first five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth asked questions of the Manawatu defence.
It took another 15 minutes for Manawatu to respond on the scoreboard, their account being opened by first five-eighth Matty James, who was on hand to accept a short pass from Josh Bradnock after the outstanding flanker found a big midfield hole.
James converted his try to gain Manawatu a deserved lead, which they gave up when Gopperth landed a penalty eight minutes before the interval.
North Harbour No 8 Viliame Ma'afu stretched his team's advantage four minutes after the resumption when he charged 23m on an angled run off a midfield ruck, for Gopperth to convert.
James reduced the difference to 10-15 with a 56th-minute penalty, visibly lifting the home side, who found another gear as they placed North Harbour under increasing pressure.
Half-chances presented themselves but Manawatu were unable to capitalise, as poor handling and ball control continued to frustrate them.
The passes finally stuck in the 66th minute when a midfield bust by centre Johnny Leota resulted in wing Lote Raikabula scoring near the goalposts after second five-eighth Frank Bryant played the link role well.
James' conversion edged Manawatu back into the lead at 17-15 but their advantage was shortlived as Ma'afu soon struck again, finding the tryline on the short side following a ruck near the line.
The game ended with Manawatu hot on attack, much as they had been for most of the match, before an infringement at the breakdown enabled North Harbour to kick the ball to the sanctuary of the sideline.