After trying to go through Harbour’s line, Canterbury cashed in by going over it. Midfielder Rob Thompson put a delicate chip kick over the defence and Johnny McNicholl raced through to collect for the first points of the match.

Canterbury upped the ante after that but to Harbour’s credit they largely kept them at bay, and it looked like the hosts would only trail by seven at the break. But Canterbury hooker Ben Funnell had other ideas, and barged over for a momentum switching try just before half-time.

QBE Harbour looked the better of the two side’s right after the break, with Matt McGahan finally getting the hosts on the board with a penalty. Tevita Li was starting to find some space, while constant improver Michael Little worked tirelessly in the midfield. Canterbury started to rack up the penalties, but Harbour failed to make them pay with McGahan’s boot slightly wayward.

Canterbury’s scrum came to the fore late in the second forty, with All Blacks props Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala going to work on Harbour’s tiring front row after three games in eight days. Tom Taylor added another three to push the score to 17-3 and see the game seemingly beyond reach.

But Harbour weren’t done with, as the fans at QBE Stadium gave them a lift. After some continued phases on Canterbury’s line the ball was spun wide where danger man Tevita Li crossed for Harbour’s first try of the day, his fourth of the season.

McGahan converted to take the margin to just seven points with a few minutes remaining. But Harbour couldn’t march back up the field with Canterbury holding on for their sixth win of the season.

The losing bonus point could be vital, with games against Manawatu, Otago and Northland to come.

QBE Harbour 10 (Tevita Li try; Matt McGahan con, pen), Canterbury 17 (Johnny McNicholl, Ben Funnell tries; Tom Taylor con, pen) HT: 0-14.