“We came through the game with no injuries, which is a bonus.”
Tuapawa made changes to his regular starting line-up to rest some players who had played a lot of rugby and give time on the paddock to some who needed game time.
“But that’s not an excuse,” he said.
“I put out a team I believed could win this game and I don’t want to take anything away from HSOB.
“Their loosies (Stefan Destounis, No.8 Tamanui Hill and Viliami Kavai) killed us at the breakdown.”
Earthwork Solutions HSOB coach Hutana said he was proud of the way the players stood up after the disappointment of not making the playoffs and not being able to defend the Lee Bros Shield they had won for the past three seasons.
“The boys showed the pride they had in the jersey,” he said.
“It was a tight game after we started strongly. Both teams scored some good tries and we were glad to come away with the win.”
HSOB also collected the Challenge Trophy, which will go on the line on Saturday when they play Athletic in Wairoa.
Winger Andrew Tauatevalu collected three points in the most-valuable-player ratings, while skipper and front-rower Jody Tuhaka picked up two and fullback Korey Love, one.
Waikohu’s best on the day were lock Tulsa Kaui (three), winger KC Wilson (two) and No.8 James Rutene (one).
HSOB 39 (K Love 2, B Mackay 2, S Destounis, A Tauatevalu tries; Tauatevalu 3 con, pen).
Waikohu 30 (T Stewart 2, M Counsell, E Reeves tries; Reeves 5 con).