In an extraordinary game of changing fortunes at Albany Stadium on Saturday evening, North Harbour held off Bay of Plenty's challenge to secure maximum championship points in a 39-33 victory.

Having built up a comfortable and convincing 29-6 half time lead, home supporters could have expected their side to coast home in the second period of play. However, the Bay had not enjoyed the rub of the refereeing green in the first spell , a perfectly good Hala try disallowed for want of a video ref, and when the tide turned the visitors capitalized to claim 2 bonus points.

Harbour did play some impressive football in the opening 40 minutes. They were well organized in the forwards and controlled the set pieces through the solid work, in particular, of loosehead prop Tony Woodcock and the urgency of Blair Urlich in the loose. Once they had scored the opening try after 15 minutes through Urlich, the points came at regular intervals thereafter. Robinson, Woodcock and Mayerhofler all got into the act, the latter's the most memorable as he cut back through the disheveled blindside defence. Debutant 18 year old fly half Luke McAlister was impressively easing himself into this standard of rugby and added nine points of his own, as well as some mature generalship of the backline.

But in the second half Harbour could only manage another ten points, no doubt making the fatal mistake of believing they already had the game won. Bay of Plenty, of course, had other ideas and continued to attack whenever the opportunities arose. Left winger Tiatia got a couple of tries , Sam Hala on the other wing added one , as did replacement flanker Dillon. Centre Nick Collins, younger brother of Auckland flanker Justin, had an impressive Super 12 with the Chiefs and was at the centre of every movement that his side was able to put together. He is strong and has the class to make things happen around him. Had Glen Jackson had a bit more luck with his kicking, he hit the post three times in all, the game could have been within the Bay's grasp, and if Hala's first half try could have been referred to the video ref . . . Why on earth does the NPC not employ the available technology ?

Harbour just about deserved to win in the end , but the Bay will be satisfied enough with their two points. After the difficulties of last year, when they narrowly avoided relegation, they desperately needed this sort of morale-boosting start upon which to build their 2002 campaign. Harbour re-introduced Troy Flavell for the final 30 minutes after surgery and a long lay off and even though he did not achieve much that was positive it was good to see him in back in action and beginning the slog back to an All Black place.If they can repeat their first half performance consistently they are set to enjoy a successful season.

Scorers :

North Harbour : 39 Tries : Urlich, Robinson, Woodcock, Mayerhofler, Evans Conversions : McAlister ( 4 ) Penalties : McAlister ( 2 )

Bay of Plenty : 33 Tries : Tiatia ( 2 ), Dillon, Hala Conversions : Jackson ( 2 ) Penalties : Jackson ( 3 )

Teams :

North Harbour : Nick Evans, Rodd Penney, Brad Miller, Mark Mayerhofler, Hayden Reid, Luke McAllister, Mark Robinson ( captain ), Blair Urlich, Craig Newby, Andrew Gallagher, Mark Giacheri, Matt Lord, Tevita Taumoepeau, Slade McFarland, Tony Woodcock.

Subs : Joe Ward, John Buchanan, Troy Flavell, Matua Parkinson, Chris Smylie, Tusi Pisi, Anthony Tuitavake.

Bay of Plenty : Grant McQuoid, Sam Hala, Nick Collins, Dale Rasmussen, Jason Tiatia, Glen Jackson, Rameka Poihipi, Clayton McMillan, Rodney Voullaire, David Gorrie, Greg Rawlinson, Mark Weedon ( captain ), Guy Shepherdson, Thompson Tapsell, Simms Davison.

Subs : Aleki Lutui, Taufaa'o Filise, David Duley, David Dillon, Blair Cashmore, Tyrone Taiepa, Damian Karauna.