Goal kicking’s been a constant bugbear this season, so captain Bryn Hall took it upon himself to take the shots at the post. The halfback slotted one of two attempts before Harbour scored their first try.

The hard work was done in the engine room with Hayden Triggs unluckily denied by the TMO off a rumbling maul. From the next scrum first five Matt McGahan took on the line, before rookie fullback Josh Rowland stepped his way to score his first five pointer of the season. But Harbour couldn’t keep the momentum flowing, and after a midfield error Manawatu strung a few phases together before lock Fraser Stone burrowed over from close range.

Whatever was said at oranges worked wonders early for QBE Harbour, and it was unsung hero Michael Little who made the steal that led to the second try. Some nice interplay out wide between Pita Ahki and Tevita Li made some inroads, before McGahan took on the line to score under the posts. Hall converted for Harbour to lead 17-7 with half an hour to go. But that’s where it all went pear-shaped.

In Manawatu’s next attack off the kick-off winger Nathan Tudreu bounced through Jordan Manihera to get the Turbos right to the try line where their captain Callum Gibbins got the spoils. Minutes later the hosts marched back down the field for the same reward. First five Otere Black saw acres of space in the right corner, and put in a cross field kick for Newton Tudreu to snatch and score. In no less than eight minutes the Turbos went from trailing by ten to leading by four.

QBE Harbour’s chances took another massive blow with replacement prop Alex Woonton sent to the sin bin by referee Ben O’Keefe for taking out a player away from the ball. Black cashed in from the corresponding penalty to extend the Turbos lead to 24-17.

Harbour showed plenty of fight, and got close to the line as they tried to force a draw late, but couldn’t remain composed in pressure situations. Manawatu were rewarded for their late endeavour with captain Gibbons scoring again in the last play to give them a bonus point, and deny Harbour one in the process.

Two games to go against Otago and Northland, a top four Championship place hangs in the balance.

Manawatu 31 (Fraser Stone, Callum Gibbins 2, Newton Tudreu tries; Otere Black 4 con, pen), QBE Harbour 17 (Josh Rowland, Matt McGahan tries; Bryn Hall 2 con, pen). HT: 7-10.