Lions through to Bartercard Cup final

Defending champions the Auckland Lions and Harbour League had to slog it out for 102 minutes to find a winner in a remarkable Bartercard Cup play-off in Auckland on Saturday.

After Harbour edged to an 18-16 lead at halftime, the match moved into another realm after the break. In an astonishing points-scoring fest, Harbour scored another 22 points and the Lions 24 to leave the two teams level with an incredible scoreline of 40-40 after 80 minutes.

They went to golden point extra time but two five-minute periods couldn't separate the sides. So the contest continued in overtime in search of a winner. Finally after a total of 102 minutes it came with the Lions surviving 44-40.

Auckland Lions vs Harbour League , Saturday 25th Aug Waitemata Park, Auckland

Auckland Lions 44 D. Fisiahi 2, A. Suniula, R. Wigg, S. Fa