In the run chase, in-form CHB batsman Dominic Thompson (30 runs) had an equally adept batsman in Mackie at the other end, albeit demoted to No11 from the top order because of injury.
Enter Taradale's teenage spinner, Liam Galbraith, who stunned CHB when he trapped Thompson leg before wicket.
Schaw said: "What a final, really. That's why we play cricket.
"We did back ourselves down to the last ball but I think Dom was waiting for Galbraith to bowl a bad ball and he didn't, so full credit to him."
Apart from Thompson, who made an unbeaten century the previous Saturday in the semifinal, "no one else stood up with the bat", Schaw lamented.
"We were just outplayed. We bowled well but didn't bat that well," he said, saluting coach Colin Atkinson for getting them to the final.
"We'll be there again next year."
A relieved Gruijters was equally complimentary, lauding Thompson for his prowess.
The Dutch import dedicated the victory to Taradale coach Sean Davies, who is in England at his father's funeral.
"He's coming back in two weeks, I think, so we'll see him then and celebrate with him properly," he said of the former Zimbabwe international.
"Last [summer] we were fifth or sixth and this time we've won the final so it's an awesome feeling ... that's what good teamwork does all season long," said player/assistant coach Gruijters, revealing his troops were mindful they had lost narrowly to CHB a few weeks earlier in another low-scoring affair, so the final was doable.
"The last time we won was in 2004 so it's a really good one for Taradale in a season when all teams were competitive."
Both captains said the wicket was a little damp from persistent drizzle in the week, prompting Hawke's Bay Cricket Association CEO Craig Findlay to delay a decision on playing at the No3 pitch or Napier's Marewa Park at the behest of Napier City Council.
"At the end of the day, it was a good wicket for the final and that's what everyone wants," said Gruijters, who was the most frugal for his side, taking 2-15 at 1.5 runs an over but praised Matt Lambert at 1.6 runs an over with 2-16.
The game was poised precariously when CHB found themselves 6-70 but their middle-order batsmen failed to show up after the top order of Pretorius (15 runs), Will Harker (12), and Rupert Young (17) provided a relatively decent platform in the circumstances.
Their chase ground to a halt for 126 runs with three overs to spare.
"They also had the belief that they could win, too, so that's what made it a really good game," said Gruijters, who would love to return to Taradale next summer but was keeping his options open.
"At the moment I'm saying I'll be coming back but you never know what could happen in Holland," said the 24-year-old from The Hague who fancies his chances of a recall to the Dutch international team. "I'd love to come back but everything's on the table right now."
