Counties Manukau have held onto the Ranfurly Shield after beating Waikato 37-25 in Pukekohe.
Counties scored four tries to three and led 20-11 at half-time.
First-five Baden Kerr controlled the game well for the homeside and kicked all 4 conversions as well as 3 penalties.
Both sides had a player sin-binned late in the game.
It is Counties Manukau's second shield defence and they will have one more this season against Southland in three weeks.
