Arataki grabbed the last piece of Western Bay rugby silverware on offer this season, when they defeated Judea 22-20 to win the Combined Cup in the final of the Seeka KI Western BOP Championship played at Judea's Maharaia Winiata Park on Saturday.
Judea scored first after 15 minutes when first-fiveand captain Jacob Mathews slotted a penalty goal. Five minutes later Arataki hit the lead after winger Kereama Bedgood crossed for the touchdown. Judea came back with a second penalty, before Sasa Tukuatu touched down Arataki's second try.
At 12-6 on the half time break, the encounter was well and truly up for grabs.
The visitors went further into the lead when fullback Marty Bourke grabbed a try after 15 minutes and with the conversion sailing between the posts, they held a 13-point advantage. A concerted Judea attack on the line resulted in a penalty try, after their opponents collapsed the scrum, meaning Judea's deficit was reduced to just six points.
Arataki then kicked a penalty to extend their lead. In the last play of the game, Judea replacement Te Rua Selwyn ran like the wind to score out wide. The conversion from the sideline never looked like missing but Arataki sneaked home 22-20, to reverse the result from last weekend's game between the two finalists.
Both Arataki and Judea now turn their attention to the Baywide playoffs, with a Baywide Division One place for the winner of the Division Two final at stake.
Te Puna won their second piece of Western Bay silverware in two weeks after the club's second team defeated Greerton Marist 40-17 in the final of the Phelan Cup in the curtain raiser at Maramatanga Park.
