Rugby: East holds off fast-finishing West

Player of the Tournament Melino Fotu from Tauranga East.

Rotorua International Stadium has very nearly become the scene of one of the great Tai Mitchell comebacks.

Tauranga East raced out to a surprise 25-5 halftime lead against their Tauranga West counterparts in yesterday's final before giving up 19 unanswered points to take the Tai Mitchell Shield by a solitary point.

Tauranga East coach Jeff Robb admitted to being slightly shaky in the face of West's furious late comeback.

"The first half I thought we were clinical and the forwards were doing the work, then in the second half West changed tactics and kept it close," he said.

"Obviously our strength is getting the ball wide and using our backs."

He believed omnipresent Melino Fotu, who dotted down twice in the final and was awarded the Jim McKinnon Trophy for being the tournament's outstanding player, had proved the difference.

"Melino is an amazing boy and very, very humble with it.

"He doesn't let things get to his head. He just works hard and plays hard. That was a bonus - having somone like him coming back with that experience. Without him we would not have won."

In an added bonus the side also picked up the Shepheard Trophy for exhibiting the best sportsmanship, and had both Fotu and Ethan Robb selected in the tournament team.

Rotorua Maroon finished off their campaign with a resounding 38-17 win against Whakatane in the third and fourth playoff.

First five-eighth Jordan Tuakana-Hudson was particularly impressive, passing beautifully with both hands and repeatedly putting his outsides into space as the hosts built a 21-5 halftime lead.

Tauranga East 25 (Melino Fotu 2, James Austin, Mitchell Irwin, Alex Cochrane tries) Tauranga West 24 (Taiwhanake Waka-Peters 2, Marshall Barker, Lesen Huirangi tries; Jack McManaway 2 cons).