Running rugby and tight scores were the order of the day at Spriggens Park on Saturday as Integrity Motors Pirates hosted the club's annual sevens tournament.
Eight senior teams were split into two pools with the visiting Manawatu Fijians looking strong favourites to retain their title from last year after they accounted for Pirates, Kaierau and Ratana in their grade.
However, a strong-looking Taihape outfit emerged unbeaten from Pool B against opposition from Marton Samoa, Marist and Border.
Marton Samoa would upset the Fijians in one semifinal, while Taihape would leave it to the last minute to beat Pirates with a try right on the fulltime siren in the other.
Guided by Heartland representative Tom Wells and having speed from the likes of Development XV player Jaye Flaws, Taihape went on to win the title with a golden point try after being tied with Marton Samoa on fulltime of the final.