Hawke's Bay beat Wellington in ITM Cup Championship final

10:22 - 23 October 2015

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Hawke's Bay avoided a third consecutive ITM Cup Championship final defeat in dramatic fashion at the expense of Wellington.

Ihaia West held his nerve by slotting over a brilliant late conversion to ensure Hawke's Bay beat Wellington 26-25 in the ITM Cup Championship final to seal promotion.

Wellington looked to be heading straight back to the Premiership as they led from the first minute until West added the extras from the toucline two minutes from time after a try from Mason Emerson at McLean Park.

Hawke's Bay then hung on for a dramatic victory to make up for the anguish of losing the last two Championship finals and consign Wellington to another season in the second tier.

Frae Wilson's early try had given Wellington a brilliant start, then Cory Jane added a second try before Robbie Fruean went over for Hawke's Bay on the stroke of half-time to ensure the visitors' lead was cut to 20-16 at the break.

Jane's second try made it 25-19 with 14 minutes to play, but there was to be a final twist as Emerson added Hawke's Bay's second touchdown and West took his points tally with the boot to 16 to stun Wellington.