That was good enough to secure them third place.
Hicks Bay needed to score four tries against the visitors for the maximum five points and prevent them from earning any bonus point.
They managed three tries in sharing the honours although they had the chance to snatch victory on fulltime after winger Teina Potae scored to level the score.
The conversion attempt was pushed wide of the posts.
Waiapu captain and tighthead prop Perrin Manuel won the toss and opted to kick off; Hicks Bay first five-eighth Rapata Haerewa chose an end with a nor’westerly breeze at the hosts’ backs.
Hicks Bay halfback Israel Brown scored the game’s opening try in the 18th minute. With Haerewa’s conversion, the home team led 7-0.
No.8 Morgan Poi struck back for Waiapu in the 29th minute, and then halfback Hamuera Moana scored the first five-pointer of what was to be a personal double for him. Moana converted that try to give Waiapu a 12-7 lead at halftime.
Eight minutes after the resumption, Moana completed his double, worth seven points with his own conversion, for 19-7.
Then Hicks Bay began their comeback. No.8 Anton King scored an outstanding try in the 67th minute, which with Haerewa’s conversion closed the score to 19-14. Right wing Potae scored Hicks Bay’s second second-half try on fulltime to draw them level, 19-all.
The team won Hicks Bay’s MVP (most valuable player) award while Rory Waitoa was MVP for Waiapu.
