Counties-Manukau claimed only their second win of the Mitre 10 Cup season as they got the better of Hawke's Bay 33-14 in Pukekohe on Sunday.
The scores were locked up at 7-7 at half-time after full-back Tim Nanai-Williams' try was cancelled out by hooker Ash Dixon in an even contest.
But after the break the last-placed Steelers pressed on with Fotu Lokotui, Johnathan Kawau, Nanai-Williams and Kalolo Tuiloma's crossings seeing them pick up a bonus-point win that leaves them just a point away from Auckland.
Championship side the Magpies meanwhile could only add one score through Pasqualle Dunn as they suffer a fifth defeat in their season.
The scorers:
For Counties:
Tries: Nanai-Williams 2, Lokotui, Kawau, Tuiloma
Cons: Kerr 3, Laulala
For Hawke's Bay:
Tries: Dixon, Dunn
Cons: West 2
Counties-Manukau: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Nigel Ah Wong, 13 Sam Furniss, 12 Orbyn Leger, 11 Tevita Nabura, 10 Baden Kerr, 9 Augustine Pulu (cc), 8 Sam Henwood, 7 Fotu Lokotui, 6 Johnathan Kawau, 5 Jimmy Tupou (c), 4 Ronald Raaymakers, 3 Coree Te Whata-Colley, 2 Joe Royal, 1 Pauliasi Manu
Replacements: 16 Gafatasi Su'a, 17 Sean Bagshaw, 18 Kalolo Tuiloma, 19 Viliame Rarasea, 20 Leroy Jack, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Albert Nikoro, 23 Luteru Laulala
Hawke's Bay: 15 Ihaia West, 14 To'o Vaega, 13 Jonah Lowe, 12 Richard Buckman, 11 Mason Emerson, 10 Tiaan Falcon, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 7 Hugh Renton, 6 Tony Lamborn, 5 Geoff Cridge, 4 Nicholas Palmer, 3 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Jason Long
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Timothy Farrell, 18 Jarvy Aoake, 19 Joshua Eden-Whaitiri, 20 Fa'alemiga Selesele, 21 Ellery Wilson, 22 Cardiff Vaega, 23 Pasqualle Dunn
Referee: Michael Lash
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