Hawke's Bay sneaks draw

Hawke's Bay first five-eighths Andrew Horrell sunk a penalty two minutes into injury time to snatch a 23-all draw against Canterbury in the ITM Cup clash at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Friday night.

Referee Matt Stanish awarded two penalties in the final two minutes as it first looked as though Horrell's opposite Colin Slade had won the game for the home side.

Horrell had replaced Daniel Kirkpatrick who left the field with concussion in the first spell. Canterbury also lost its centre Ryan Crotty to a leg injury.

The majority of the second half was locked at 20-all after the visitors led 17-13 at the break.

Kirkpatrick started proceedings with a 40-metre three-pointer.

Canterbury looked the more adventurous side and it was rewarded when a simple backline move put fullback Sean Maitland over. Slade converted for a 7-3 advantage.

Kirkpatrick's range was faultless as he punished two more infringements, snatching a 9-7 lead, but he copped a sickening knee to the head while attempting a tackle and lost consciousness.

Andrew Horrell stepped in to the vacant pivot position and also split the uprights, but Slade resumed the two-point deficit.

A slow, rumbling, pick-and-roll effort from the pack gifted hooker Hika Elliot the Bay's first try. Horrell misfired with the extras, but his side stretched out to 17-10.

Visiting prop Clint Newlands' brainless late hit on Steven Brett earned him 10 in the bin with half-time approaching.

Slade closed the gap to four points as the hooter sounded.

Twenty seconds after the restart, Red and Black wing Tu Umaga Marshall charged down Jason Shoemark's attempted clearance and regathered to score. Slade converted as the lead interchanged once more – the home side now ahead 20-17.

Canterbury captain George Whitelock gifted Horrell three-points bang in front, which levelled it up at 20 a-piece.

Hawke's Bay was desperate as it repelled wave after wave of concerted pressure on its own line, the home was side unable to crack the solid defence.

The deadlock remained unbroken with five minutes to play, but Slade was awarded a penalty under the sticks as his shaky kick sailed through it seemed all but over.

However, Horrell had the last laugh, earning Hawke's Bay a deserved share of the points.

Scorers:

Canterbury 23 (Sean Maitland, Tu Umaga Marshall tries; Colin Slade 2 con; Slade 3 pen)

Hawke's Bay 23 (Hika Elliot try; Daniel Kirkpatrick 3 pen; Andrew Horrell 3 pen)