The Otumoetai Eels premiers won a torrid encounter over heavyweights Hamilton City Tigers at Otumoetai's Mitchell Park on Saturday in the combined Waikato/Coastline premiers competition.
In trying conditions and with the ground waterlogged after heavy rain during the week, Otumoetai managed to win the arm wrestle 28-18 through sheer determination, sticking to the game plan with a couple of attacking players playing their part to help get the win
Hooker and pocket rocket Mikaere October - back from England - was dynamic, with his dummy half runs and, with fleet-footed loosie Tane Leef receiving the offloads at a hundred miles an hour, the Tigers withstood the onslaught for long periods before succumbing.
Big props Tarquin Court and Vance Te Utupoto were a handful whenever they had the ball along with powerful centre Jesse Muller, whose crunching tackles had the spectators holding their breath.
For the Tigers, Waicoa Bay half Hayden Karena was all class and was responsible for the Tigers keeping the game as close as it was with his deft running and kicking into the corners.