The first NPC semifinal went to extra time before a late Greg Cooper try broke Harbour hearts. But Gatland, the No 10, slotted a 79th minute drop goal to win the Mitre 10 Cup Championship 17-14, meaning Harbour will swap with Hawke's Bay for the 2017 season. Gatland banged over two late penalty goals for Harbour to take the 11-7 lead into the sheds as errors crept into Otago's game. Coach Brown might have reminded them to take all their penalty shots at goal, as this was a final. North Harbour 17 (Michael Little try; Bryn Gatland 3 pen, dg)Otago 14 (Fa'asiu Fuatai, Tom Franklin tries; Fletcher Smith 2 con)HT: 11-7

Source: Otago Daily Times October 28, 2016 08:33 UTC