It was the fourth time this century the teams have drawn.
In 2002, the score was 20-20, and the clubs had 28-28 draws in both 2003 and 2008.
Green Island outside back Mathew Tuaine was given a red card by referee Todd Pullar for dissension and the use of foul language.
It rallied the 14 remaining players on the field to increased effort over the last 10 minutes and a late try gave Green Island an upset 18-17 win over Harbour at Miller Park.
University A beat Taieri 24-10 to remain unbeaten after five games and win the Speight's Cup with 22 points.
It was followed by Southern 17, Alhambra-Union 16, Pirates 14, Dunedin 12, Harbour 11, Kaikorai and Zingari-Richmond 9, Green Island 5, Taieri 4.
Green Island 18
Harbour 17
Green Island achieved a major upset when replacement prop Stewart Maguire crashed over in the corner for the winning try in the final seconds at Miller Park.
It was a game Harbour should have won because it had 75% of territory and possession through the efforts of flankers Eben Joubert and Jason Kelly and prop Ben Nolan.
But it made too many mistakes and squandered its hard-won possession with an ill-disciplined display by a backline that passed on too much 50-50 ball and made too many unforced errors.
Green Island was a team that played with passion and was determined to win the game.
Winger James White, the best back in the Harbour side, scored the first try of the game when he took a pass from Nolan and ran 40m.
Fullback Johnny Hughes, who kicked four penalty goals, stretched the lead to 14-6 with a penalty 15 minutes into the second spell.
But the gap was reduced to one point, 14-13, when fullback Jeremy Cave used his speed to score a try for Green Island.
Cave, winger Chris O'Neill and flanker Jason Bint also had strong games for Green Island.
Green Island 18 (Jeremy Cave, Stewart Maguire tries; Tino Elisara conversion, 2 penalty goals), Harbour 17 (James White try; Jonny Hughes 4 penalty goals).
Half-time: Harbour 11-6.
Referee: Todd Pullar.
Southern 11
Dunedin 11
The inside pairing of Simon Davey and Michael Walding played a key role in Dunedin's improved performance when it drew with Southern at Bathgate Park.
They were dangerous on attack and able to break through the Southern defensive screen.
But it was the defence of the pair that was most impressive, with their ability to shut down Southern attacks through the midfield.
Veteran Luke Herden was forced to kick more than usual.
Dunedin took the initiative early in the second half when openside flanker Jon Crossan broke past three defenders and hooker Sam Anderson-Heather was in support to score the try for Dunedin to lead 11-6.
Dunedin, with its forwards getting the edge, had control of the game at this stage.
But a mistake by Josh Hamilton, when he missed a kick into the 22m, allowed halfback Joe Burford to steal a try and put Southern back into the game with the scores locked at 11-11.
Southern camped inside the Dunedin 22m for the last seven minutes and would have won if fullback Craig Sneddon had his kicking boots on.
He missed a sitter from in front of the posts and the game ended in a draw.
Southern 11 (Joe Burford try; Craig Sneddon 2 penalty goals), Dunedin 11 (Sam Anderson-Heather try; Josh Hamilton 2 penalty goals).
Half-time: 6-6.
Referee: Steve Piacun (Auckland).
Pirates 28
Zingari-Richmond 14
Glenn Dickson's all-round prowess was crucial in Pirates' deserved win over Zingari-Richmond at Montecillo.
Dickson controlled the game astutely from first five-eighth, kicked his first five attempts at goal - some from acute angles in the tricky wind - and made the break for the match-clinching try.
Pirates led 16-0 at half-time after having the advantage of the breeze and struck a vital blow six minutes into the second spell when Dickson made a spectacular break, beating defenders off both feet, to send winger Marshall Suckling over under the posts.
Down 23-0, Zingari came back through tries by centre Kurt Schruder and halfback Troy England but it was not enough and Pirates extended its lead nine minutes from the end when No 8 Warren Kearney drove over from a scrum.
Halfback Steve Bruce combined well with Dickson while Suckling and Adam Gavegan were full of running on the wings.
Nic Wilson pulled down good line-out ball, Daniel Johnson anchored a solid scrum and Josh Clark, Kearney and Garth Swan were a strong loose trio.
Hooker and captain Mason Pomare was a tigerish leader of the Zingari pack and Ryan Newman was all action from the openside flank.
Schruder ran strongly at centre and Johnny Noakes impressed when he moved from the wing to first five-eighth.
Pirates 28 (Adam Gavegan, Marshall Suckling, Warren Kearney tries; Glenn Dickson 2 conversions, 3 penalty goals), Zingari-Richmond 14 (Kurt Schruder, Troy England tries; Jonny Noakes 2 conversions).
Half-time: Pirates 16-0.
Referee: Dave Kennedy.
University A 24
Taieri 10
University A played a more precise and controlled game to score four tries and beat Taieri at Peter Johnstone Park.
The quick passing of the University A backline and its efficient use of the ball mesmerised the opposition and led to holes opening up within the Taieri defensive screen.
Ryan Grant was nippy in the midfield and was able to find gaps in the defence, while centre Brett Mather used his strength to score two tries.
The student backline was fed efficiently by halfback Henry McLernon who had a good understanding with No 8 Brad Cameron.
The Taieri forwards were a solid unit and they matched the students with flanker Jeremy Corliss having an outstanding game.
He made a strong run down the sideline in the second half that should have led to a try if there had been support.
Winger Todd Ford scored an early try to give Taieri the lead that it held until just before half-time when the students scored two late tries to lead 17-7 at the break.
The students put a lot of pressure on the Taieri inside backs and Michael Witt, at first five-eighth, was not able to reproduce the flair he had displayed in rugby league.
University A 24 (Brett Mather 2, Chris Black, Simon Forrest tries; Brad Nicol 2 conversions), Taieri 10 (Todd Ford try; Michael Witt conversion, penalty goal).
Half-time: University 17-7.
Referee: Jeff Grubb.
Alhambra-Union 30
Kaikorai 21
The Alhambra-Union tight five set the foundation for a much needed bonus point in its win over Kaikorai at the North Ground.
But it was a far from convincing display from the reigning champion, which turned a two-try advantage in the first quarter into an eight-point deficit at half-time.
Stern words must have been summoned during the break, as Alhambra's big forward pack set about taking toll on the Kaikorai defence, creating space for a further two tries and the rare occurrence of a dropped goal.
Kaikorai competed well, notably through its loose forward trio, in particular Hamish Chrisp, playing his 50th premier game.
Cam Rutherford directed play well from first five-eighth, and Mark McGregor was rock solid outside him.
But a tidal wave of destruction erupting from the Alhambra-Union tight five eventually caused Kaikorai's downfall.
The front row trio of Dane Marakai, Ben Pereira and Scott Manson, and the line-out skills of Cowan Finch, proved the difference between the two sides.
In the Alhambra-Union backline, Luke Reihana always appeared threatening along with winger Paul Archbold.
Alhambra-Union 30 (Wayne Gibson, Sepulona Masoe, Luke Reihana, Mana Faraimo tries; Reihana 2 conversions, penalty goal, Peter Breen dropped goal), Kaikorai 21 (Cam Rutherford, Guy Ferguson, Hamish Chrisp tries; Rutherford 3 conversions).
Half-time: Kaikorai 21-13.
Referee: Doug Rodgers.
