The Bay of Plenty Maori under 17 team made history even though they didn't take home the winners' cup.
For the first time in the Rangatahi Maori Rugby League National tournament history, the boys in blue and gold made the top four to go into the semis as second in their pool.
The large amount of Bay supporters were not let down in pool play at the weekend with the home team showing some real flair and determination taking down Tu Toa in their first heat with an easy 34-10 win.
Going into the second semi of the day the team faced a much bigger side in Te Atiawa from Taranaki, who were pool favourites. This did not deter the smaller more agile and polished Bay team who used every advantage to run straight through the Taranaki boys to connect with the tryline, taking the Taranaki boys by surprise and by the time they scrambled back a few points in the second half the Bay had retained their confidence and the thrill-a-minute game ended with the Bay taking it out 22 -20.
Coming off the back of a big win, the last game of the day proved to be an upset for the Bay when meeting bottom of the pool Nga Hau o Poneke and while the Wellington team had no chance of making a semi they didn't want to go away empty handed scoring in the opening minutes and opening the flood gates. The Bay team, plagued with injuries, struggled to gain momentum and despite some desperate defence holding Nga Hau o Poneke off the line and some huge line breaks by the Bay, the gap was too big to fill and the Bay received their first loss for the day 38-32 placing them as second in the pool with Te Atiawa taking out top spot in a count back. Waikato and tournament favourites Counties Manukau went play for play in the other pool with Counties coming out on top as Waikato settled for second going into the semifinals.
The Bay, still recovering from the loss against the Wellington team, came to play against the top of pool A, Counties Manukau.
Still recovering from injuries, the Bay looked to their bench for help and it paid, with fresh legs the home side held their own and went blow for blow with the boys in red and white.
Not even the Counties supporters expected such a big effort from the Bay side and some desperation was evident as half time approached ,with the Counties up 10-6. The visitors' riveting team talk in the middle of the paddock during the break saw them come out with a new passion and they knew they would need to up the ante to take out the underestimated Bay team.
Counties' desperation paid off and as the last hooter rang out they had proven their top spot, winning 32-20.
The final games for the day saw the Bay play off for third against Waikato which they eventually won 32-12.
In the main final Counties were too strong for Te Atiawa winning 44-14.
Finishing third wasn't the only success for the home side with four players; Joshua Taylor, Weyan Hewett, Jas Flavell and Tony Matautia being named in the tournament team.
WINNERS:
PLAYERS OF THE TOURNAMENT: