The elation shown by Tauranga Sports players, coaching staff and supporters at the final whistle blown by referee Shane McDermott showed what it meant to win the Bayfair Baywide Premier title for the fifth time in seven years.
The 21-16 victory over a talented young Mount Maunganui side at ASB Baypark Stadium was never assured and even in the final play of the game the Mount looked threatening as they desperately tried to find a way through the Tauranga defence. It was fitting the game ended with Tauranga causing an error as their defensive systems throughout the season were outstanding.
Tauranga were allowed to start Bay of Plenty halfback Josh Hall, with Nick Evemy off the bench, while Mount's influential centre Kenny Lynn was not released from corporate duties with the Chiefs. So the core squad members battled out what was an absorbing scrap from the outset.
Mount started like they wanted to get the job done quickly as they rushed out to a 10-0 lead after just six minutes with a penalty to Matt Golding and a try to flanker Matty Axtens after a botched Tauranga lineout near their line.
Tauranga are well used to being behind early on and got back into the contest after they were awarded a penalty. The club's record points scorer in a season Paul Morris hit the post from a handy angle and the ball fortuitously bounced back to the rushing Tauranga players, who drove forward. From the ensuing scrum, centre Aifai Esera crashed over and before the break he was in again to finish off a sweet move started by winger Philip Togotogorua, with quick hands from Gareth Brown and Nick Thomson creating the space.
Mount trailed 12-10 at the break after first use of a stiff breeze and were to rue some missed kicking opportunities.
The second spell was dominated for large periods by the well-drilled Mount team but for all their territorial advantage they were unable to turn it into points and were penalised heavily at the rucks which halted their momentum.
Golding and Morris swapped penalties to make it 15-13 before Morris was sin-binned to leave the Mount needing a new goalkicker.
Up stepped Adam McGarvey to kick a crucial goal to put his team in the lead 16-15 but under extreme pressure it was Morris who was the hero for Tauranga, kicking two late penalties to extend the lead to 21-16, including the final effort from the touchline 48 metres out.
Zar Lawrence led a late Mount attack with a sharp break but Tauranga withstood repeated phases at them and finally openside flanker Mitch Greenaway won a turnover to end an outstanding season for Tauranga Sports and the Baywide championship.
Mount could so easily have been the champions but the missed scoring opportunities hurt them. They will be a force in 2014 with a nucleus of good players and the cream of their championship winning Colts team to pick from.
Tauranga Sports captain Josh Hall did not find out he was going to play until the previous day, but was elated to have helped Sports regain the title.
"I played 15 minutes [for BOP against Counties on Thursday night]. I think the goal was not even to play me," said Hall.
"They made the call on Thursday that none of us were going to play and then we found out on Friday that two of us were allowed to play, so we had to quickly change mindsets and get ready for the final.
"I thought they were the form team coming into the final. They put in a few good wins in a row to finish second on the table. They're a bloody good team and have a few key players in their team who can step up and tear a team apart."
Hall praised the efforts of his players in the absence of a number of key members of the side.
"A lot of us came back from last year, a good core of players, but there are a few new faces as well and they have stepped up to the plate and bought into our culture and what Tauranga Sports is about.
"The past couple of years we slipped up in the semifinals and were pretty disappointed by that, and we had the goal of making the final again and I'm just stoked with how the boys stood up."
Tauranga Sports 21 (Aifai Esera 2 tries; Paul Morris con, 3 pens) Mount Maunganui 16 (Matty Axtens try; Matt Golding con, 2 pens; Adam McGarvey pen). Halftime 12-10.
Bayfair Baywide club finals day results, August 3
Premier
Tauranga Sports 21 (Aifai Esera 2 tries; Paul Morris 3 pens, con) Mount Maunganui 16 (Matty Axtens try; Matt Golding 2 pens, con; Adam McGarvey pen)
Division One
Rangiuru 26 (Terry Wilson, Sasu Wihipi, Jordan Kendall tries; Ngati Kingi 3 pens, con) Poroporo 18 (Robert Maxwell 2 tries; Rob Tai 2 pens, con)
Colts
Mount Maunganui 35 (Leigh Hughes, Logan Walsh, Damian Cuddihy, Max McLaren tries; Shem Wharearau 3 pens, 3 cons) Tauranga Sports 28 (Cam Duffus, Jay Michalik, Vince Cooney tries; Duffus 2 cons, 3 pens)
Division Two
Arataki 20 Kawerau 0
Senior Reserve
Tauranga Sports 20 Opotiki 10