The Fijian Drua have kept their finals hopes alive with a 24-14 win over the Highlanders in Ba.
It ensures their perfect record at the new venue, having opened the ground with victory over the ACT Brumbies earlier in the year.
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The victory is also their first over the Highlanders after four straight defeats in their short history.
The Highlanders set the tempo for an entertaining contest when Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jonah Lowe nearly combined for the opener in the first minute.
The Drua would rally, frustrating the visitors with their work over the ball across the 80 minutes.
Tuidraki Samusamuvodre made an impact on his return, breaking through the line before centres partner Virimi Vakatava crossed in the ninth minute.
Lowe responded four minutes later in the corner to level the scores as both teams hunted for points.
Fullback Isikeli Rabitu eventually put the Drua in front, stepping past his defender and diving over.
The Highlanders would take the lead right before the break through Veveni Lasaqa, with the Fijian heritage flanker crossing at the back of the rolling maul for a 14-12 lead.
But the hosts were quick to hit back to start the second half as fullback Rabitu’s pace was too much, sprinting away for his second.
The turnover ball continued to hurt the Highlanders, allowing Elia Canakaivata to extend their lead to ten.
The visitors almost hit back after Lasaqa nearly produced an unbelievable intercept try from a five-metre scrum, with the ball just hitting the deck before he could re-gather.
They would be handed a golden opportunity after a pair of mistakes left the Drua scrambling, and Rabitu was yellow-carded for a cynical foul on his line.
But somehow, the Drua muscled up and held them out for the 10-minute period despite several raids on their line. The most threatening came in the 68th minute when a clutch tackle dislodged the ball from Soane Vikena’s hands as the hooker latched onto an overthrown five metre lineout and dived for the line.
This buoyed the hosts as they closed out the game, nearly nabbing a winning bonus point after the siren, only to be denied a try for a knock-on on the goal-line.
They sit three points behind the Queensland side (23), who have a game in hand, and are joined by the Highlanders and NSW Waratahs on 20 competition points.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders face a must-win match against the Waratahs next weekend, falling to nab a last minute losing bonus point on a frustrating afternoon.
