TVC won all five games in the first round for the first time in their 31-year membership of the East Coast Rugby Union.
They then won five games in the past seven weeks to add the Jury Harrison Memorial Cup (Round 2) to the Kath McLean Memorial Cup (Round 1).
Hikurangi had the bye.
On Saturday, in overcast, humid conditions with a mild southerly breeze, about 550 spectators were at Uawa Domain.
Uawa lock Scott Lasenby opened the scoring for the hosts three minutes into the game.
From an attacking lineout on the left touch, hooker Jack Westenra found lock Jake Jones, jumping at No.3. From the ensuing drive, Lasenby grounded the ball four metres in from the left corner. The try was converted by first five-eighth Josh Dearden.
Tokararangi struck back in the 34th minute. From a penalty tap eight metres from Uawa's goal-line, Hone Haerewa found fetcher Will Bolingford on the charge and five phases of play later, tighthead prop Myles Muir-Tawa scored.
Muir-Tawa and Bolingford made two carries each in that passage of play, displaying aggressive intent and stamina.
Second five-eighth Rapata Haerewa converted Muir-Tawa's try for 7-7 and that was the score at the break.
Uawa scored from the restart. Outstanding Tokararangi second-row prospect Kyah Hollis caught the ball and, one Bolingford carry later in centrefield, the visitors' big first-five Te Rangi Fraser put his boot to it.
Right wing Tipene Meihana gathered the ball 15m off the sideline and found fullback BJ Sidney on the fly near halfway.
Sidney weaved his way upfield past three would-be tacklers, got to the 22 and passed to halfback Sam Parkes who scored 10m to the left of the posts.
Dearden converted for 14-7.
Vice-captain Parkes had stepped up as skipper with the loss of Lasenby (left hamstring) in the 29th minute.
In the 64th minute, Tokararangi asserted themselves. Awarded a penalty 12m from Uawa's goal-line, Fraser opted to tap-kick and veer towards centrefield. On their third nudge on pick-and-go, reserve lock Alec Bristow scored a metre to the right of the sticks.
Rapata Haerewa converted Bristow's bonecrushing try for 14-all.
Tokararangi took the lead for the first time in the game when captain Haerewa scored from an attacking scrum five metres from the Uawa goal-line and Rapata Haerewa converted for 21-14.
They increased their advantage when, from a tap-kick in front of the posts, hooker Jody Tuhaka got to a metre from the goal-line and the clearing pass was sent right to Fraser, who scored
The conversion attempt failed and the red-and-blacks led 26-14.
Uawa had the last say, when promising young No.8 Tanira Nepia made a magnificent ball-and-all tackle on Rapata Haerewa 12m into Tokararangi territory and steamed down the ground to score on fulltime. Dearden converted.
Bolingford was named MVP (most valuable player) for Tokararangi and Sidney claimed that honour for Uawa.
Tokararangi coach Brown said his team took time get into the game but he was proud of them for “weathering the storm”.
He and Hone Haerewa were of like mind — the game had been a battle.
Uawa player-coach and reserve halfback Chris Richardson said they had a lot of momentum at the start of the second half but couldn't quite capitalise and get a good lead.
“Tokararangi deserved the win. They defended well and took their chances.”
While disappointed to have lost, Lasenby said: “It was awesome to play with pride and passion for our families and community in our last home game.”
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