Two lower-ranked provincial rugby sides flexed their muscles against their Super 15 mates on Friday night - but only one came away with a highly-prized scalp and bragging rights next year.
The Championship side Hawke's Bay showed their Hurricanes franchise partners Wellington the door in Napier with a 40-20 thrashing, scoring four or their six tries in the first half as the Magpies led 23-10 at half-time.
Earlier, Canterbury defeated Tasman 36-32 in another inter-divisional clash in Blenheim after the Premiership side also raced out to a big lead at the break.
But despite the 19-3 advantage heading into the second spell, the Makos stormed back into the match.
Trailing their Super Rugby franchise partners by 21 points with just 14 minutes to go at Lansdowne Park, Tasman almost provided a big upset to match Thursday's victory by fellow Championship side Northland over Premiership leaders Bay of Plenty.
Tasman scored three late tries to narrow the gap but still ended up coming up short.
Telusa Veainu got a hat-trick while the other Canterbury winger Patrick Osborne crossed for a pair and Makos No.8 Mark Bright dotted down twice as both sides ended with five tries apiece, with Canterbury's kicking the difference.
