Hawks edge Canterbury Rams

The Hawke’s Bay Hawks should make the final four of the play-offs after edging the Canterbury Rams in a topsy-turvy encounter in a tight finish at Taradale on Thursday.

It was fourth against fifth – with the winner would go a long way to booking their place in the competition’s top four for next month’s finals weekend – and the Hawks, who have played a game fewer than Canterbury, eventually prevailed 84-78 after crucially moving ahead in the final minutes.

A huge three-pointer from Dion Prewster with about 70 seconds left moved the hosts four points clear and the Rams fell to their fourth straight loss.

The Rams led 22-18 at quarter-time, but then trailed by one, 38-39 at halftime and three, 56-59 after the third period.