The crucial win moves Hastings into third on the ladder while Havelock North now sit in sixth spot – at serious risk of missing out on a semifinal spot for the Maddison Trophy.
There are only two rounds remaining before the semifinals.
Havelock North had led 26-14 at halftime and extended that lead to 33-19 at one stage in the second half, before Hastings Sports launched their comeback.
Highlanders and Magpies halfback Folau Fakatava, who played two tests for the All Blacks in 2022, came on at halftime for Hastings and was instrumental in lifting his side.
Hastings Rugby and Sports halfback Folau Fakatava in action in a previous season. Photo / Paul Taylor
He set up two of his side’s four tries in the second half, and also had some nice touches in the build-up to the other two.
Thompson said he was a welcome addition, having finished his Super Rugby season.
“Obviously its great having an All Black and a Highlander come back into the mix, with our young boys, it always picks everyone up, so having him back is great.”
He said it was a great match and his side had a lot of belief they could win.
“We knew the first half wasn’t our best half, but we were still in the game.
“We cut out mistakes, and we showed in the second half we were good enough to come back and win.”
Hastings Rugby and Sports coach Jason Long said they’d suffered a couple of close losses this season, so it was great to get a close win and finish the game out.
He was rapt with the entire team’s effort and paid special mention of Uregei, Fakatava, Jo Fuimaono, and Oscar Sowman.
Hastings winger John Lameko also scored a great individual try to open the scoring, while Havelock North’s Cooper Flanders showed his class setting up a try and scoring one.
Hastings Rugby and Sports 36 (John Lameko 2, Louie Uregei 2, Blake Tresidder, Max Gomez tries; Oscar Sowman 3 con) defeated Havelock North 33 (Nehemiah Lauvao, Jesse Paewai, Tom Brock, unnamed, Cooper Flanders; Will Cole 4 con) HT: 14-26.
Other results: Napier Tech defeated Napier Pirate 24-22, Napier Old Boy Marist defeated MAC 74-5, Taradale defeated Bridge Pa 99-7.
Table: Taradale 20, Napier Old Boys Marist 20, Hastings Rugby and Sports 19, Napier Tech 17, Napier Pirate 16, Havelock North 14, MAC 14, Bridge Pa 1.