The Highlanders held off a late charge from the Hurricanes to win their Dunedin Super Rugby derby 35-31 on Friday night.
Despite outscoring the Highlanders three tries to two, the error-prone Hurricanes conceded seven penalty goals, kicked by Lima Sopoaga.
Beuden Barrett kicked four of his own and scored two second-half tries for the visitors after their prop Ben Franks barged over in the 62nd minute.
But the Hurricanes mounted their come back too late.
The Highlanders fullback Ben Smith set the game alight early in the second half with an outside break that led to a try by second five eighth Phil Burleigh.
His winger Patrick Osborne crossed the line seven minutes later after intercepting a cut out pass thrown by Hadleigh Parkes.
The Highlanders were reduced to 14 men late in the second half after Jared Hoeata was sinbinned for being offside.
His coach Jamie Jospeh was pleased at how the Highlanders then came together to repel the Hurricanes final surge.
