Going into the third match of their trip with a played-two-won-one record, the Glasgow Thistles appeared a touch overawed by their Maori opponents in the early stages and an interception try in the fifth minute saw the visitors 7-0 adrift, writes Ron Evans.
The Thistles rallied and a try from a pick-up-and-drive by Hutchesons/Aloysians' Neil McKenzie pulled them back to 7-5, but despite the majority of the possession going the Thistles way, that remained the score at half time.
Twelve minutes into the second half saw the Maoris increase their lead with a penalty, but when Ardrossan's Steven Duffy released West's Andrew Henderson, the winger's try levelled the scores.
The Thistles took the lead for the first time when Whitecraig's Paul Monagahan capitalised on Alastair Little's drive to score and Andrew Wilson's conversion put Thistles 17-10 ahead, but an unconverted try and penalty saw the home side edge into the lead in the final minutes.
As the game entered stoppage time, a final surge by the Thistles saw prop Eric Milligan drive over for a captain's try which clinched a match in which the Thistles, although committing many basic errors, eventually dig deep for a win which confirmed just how much spirit has been generated in the squad during their stay in New Zealand.
qCardiff and Pontypridd have finally put an end to the transfer saga involving Wales fly-half Neil Jenkins.
The switch by Jenkins caused problems between the two clubs last week but Pontypridd chief executive Cenydd Thomas confirmed yesterday that Jenkins' transfer to Cardiff Park had been concluded.
Thomas said: ''We have reached an agreement with Cardiff.
''Nothing has been signed because it is Sunday but the full details will emerge in the course of time.''
British Lions player Jenkins - whose kicking helped the Lions to a victorious tour of South Africa in 1997 - was announced last Monday as Cardiff's new fly-half but Pontypridd insisted he was still their player because their negotiator, Eddie Jones, did not have the authority to broker the deal.
It caused Jones to quit Pontypridd as their director of rugby and there was a stand-off between the clubs, with both claiming Jenkins, who is on course to become the world's highest points scorer, was their player.
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