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The home team dominated early opening a 15-0 lead with tries from scrumhalf Guerra and #8 Clinton Camp, plus a Gibson penalty and conversion.
The Blues hit back with a close-range effort for a 15-7 scoreline. Gibson then added two more penalties to stretch the Highlanders’ lead to 21-7 at halftime.
The game became increasingly chippy with a KC Blues flanker and two Highlanders yellow-carded.
The second half opened with a try from prop Matt Shafroth and another Gibson conversion for what looked like an impregnable 28-7 lead.
The Blues fought back hard with two tries to close the gap to 28-19, before the Highlanders pulled away with three late scores by replacement wing Nickee Powell, and a second each for Guerra and Shafroth.
Next up for the Highlanders are the Glendale Raptors.