Pirates TE's season might have came down to a sideline conversion on Saturday as a late try gave it the opportunity to be the first team to beat the Hawks.
At Hancock Park, Pirates had rallied against the team that has been clearly the best this season, fighting back from 22 -6 down to being in a position where a converted try would have won the game.
The four-pointer came just before the final whistle but, despite his best efforts, centre Hemi Davis was unable to slot the goal, and the game ended in a 28-28 draw.
Pirates TE must now wait for the result of next week's clash between Raiders and South City Dragonz.
Coach Mark Nafatali will be desperately hoping the Dragonz can cause an upset, and his team can beat University to make the final.
"It's pretty much a long-shot, but I've still got hopes the Dragonz can pull off the upset," Nafatali said.
The Hawks, who have been suffering a late-season slump, will need to find a way to come through that in the next fortnight, before the final.
Player-coach Rema Smith said yesterday his team peaked during its September 4 game against the Raiders, and had struggled to return to form since.
Despite being ahead on Saturday, his team could not stop the momentum Pirates developed, he said.
In other games at the weekend, the Raiders beat an improving Pirates MT 52-24, and the Dragonz held off the Kaikorai Silverbacks 36-32.
