A try on full time by Rangataua's Mitchell Cunningham meant the club made history with back-to-back wins at the Mount Sevens yesterday.
In a thrilling final, played out in perfect conditions at Blake Park, Rangataua were too methodical for their opponents Massey, beating them 17-12. It is the first time in the competition's 20-year history a team has won the event two years in a row.
Originally, the champions weren't even entered in the competition but after a last-minute withdrawal, the team sneaked in the backdoor to steal the show.
Rangataua coach Jason Hona said yesterday, he was impressed with the team's composure throughout the competition.
"Not too bad after a 20-minute training session this morning. The guys are just familiar with the way Rangataua play sevens.
"It's not really about the flash moves and things like that. We just express ourselves the way we want to do it and the guys just fit in around it."
Right from Rangataua's kick-off the team looked to keep a solid defensive line and play mistake-free rugby. With Massey on attack for just over three minutes of the 10-minute first half, Rangataua had little choice but to make tackle after tackle. But it appeared to have an effect on Massey who became frustrated and began to make mistakes.
It was enough to lift the defending champions who pounced on a dropped ball and looked to spread it from side to side. Nathaniel Walter was devastating at broken play, splitting the Massey defence. He threw a floating wide ball which fell into the hands of Jack Wilson who simply drew in the last defender to give New Zealand sevens star import Lote Raikabula an easy run into the corner to open the scoring at the five-minute mark. His teammate Chris Van der Heyden couldn't convert the try.
The game ebbed and flowed for the next couple of minutes as both teams looked to use what possession they had but were unable to convert it.
Massey were the next to score a minute before the half when Anthony Matoto snaffled some loose ball from a Rangataua maul and raced 7m to touch down. Ray Niuia was unsuccessful with the conversion and the two sides went into the break 5-5.
After the break, Rangataua looked to have the ascendancy with Walter again causing havoc at broken play and on several occasions looking like he might go all the way.
But it was Quinten Gardner who got Rangataua's second try at the five-minute mark which was converted by Van der Heydenas they went ahead 12-5.
Massey replied immediately when Rangataua were penalised for not making the 10m mark from the kick.
A quick tap caught the champions off guard and Tevita Li went the 50m to score under the post before Jason Brown levelled the scores with the conversion.
With time almost up on the clock and it looking like the final may go into extra time. Rangataua started to pass the ball around looking for a gap. It eventually came from some slick passing and Cunningham latched on to the end pass to score in the corner.
Scores:
Rangataua; 17 (Lote Raikabula, Ouinten Gardner, Mitchell Cunningham, tries; Curtis Van der Heyden 1 con) Massey; 12 (Anthony Matoto, Tevita Li, tries; Jason Brown 1 con) Halftime: 5-5
Other results:
Plate final: Auckland University 19 Eden 7
Bowl final: Te Kauwhata 21 Hamilton Old Boys 14
Special Plate: Mount Maunganui 24 Rangiuru 10