Hawke's Bay have won the Championship division in rugby's national provincial competition.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Magpies have beaten Northland 36-24 in Friday night's final in Napier.
Scores were tied at 17-17 after an entertaining first half in which both teams scored three tries each.
But the home side, who also hold the Ranfurly Shield, proved too good after the resumption.
Hawke's Bay ran in three consecutive tries to put the result all but beyond doubt, before Northland went in for a consolation try with five minutes to play.
Despite the victory, the Magpies might not actually earn promotion to the Premiership division for the 2021 season.
There was the possibility that New Zealand Rugby would change the format of the national competition next year.
A move to North and South conferences was being considered, similar to the way the Farah Palmer Cup was played this year.
