It stretched to 21-7 when the Magpies capitalised on Auckland’s mistakes and brittle defence to spread it wide, before flanker Miracle Fai’ilagi got the break and scored. McClutchie again converted from close to the posts.
As the attack grew in confidence, Flanders was sent over for his second try, and it was 26-7 with two minutes until halftime.
The Magpies defended deep in their own territory early in the second half but, as soon as the chance arose, they put second five-eighths Le Roux Malan over. McClutchie converted again, making it 33-7, enough to end Auckland’s hopes in a season which has seen them win just twice in nine games.
Even when Auckland replied, Malan went over again for the Magpies. Auckland grabbed two further tries and the Bay one more, to replacement Andrew Tauatevalu.
The win put the Magpies safely in the top eight for the quarter-finals, and the chance of a home match if they beat Manawatū in Palmerston North next Saturday.