Omahu win third rugby league title in a row as 2000 fans flock to historic Clive ground

Omahu Huia start the celebrations after a third Hawke's Bay rugby league premiership title in a row. Photo / Doug Laing

More than 2000 people flocked to one of Hawke’s Bay’s original rugby league venues for the 2025 finals on Saturday.

The eight matches were held at Farndon Park, Clive, where rugby league was first played about 1910.

Omahu Huia won the premier title for a third time in a row (over three different opponents) with a six-tries-to-four, 32-20 victory over Tamatea Arikinui.

Huia led 14-0 in the first half with tries to wing Ameniasi Koroi, centre Sakopo Ofa and hooker Petera Kahui-Ariki, and a goal to fullback Te Aranga Hakiwai.

Tamatea bounced back with two tries, both converted by standoff JB Thompson, to make it 14-12 at halftime, and while never hitting the lead figured in an exciting last quarter, with the score 26-20, Tamatea on attack and extra time beckoning.

Jordan Thompson-Dunn scores the final try for Omahu Huia in their 32-20 win over Tamatea Arikinui in Saturday's Hawke's Bay rugby league premier final. Photo / Doug Laing

Omahu struck back with loose forward Jordan Thompson-Dunn scoring the last try, near the posts.

Omahu’s other tries went to prop Witere Kupa and a second to Koroi. Tamatea’s tries went to Thompson, hooker Rukutai Craig, fullback Keanu Hutana and wing Chase Gillies.

It was a third win for Omahu captain Bronson Hokianga and several of his team. He was particularly pleased with the foundation set by the forwards, who included former Hawke’s Bay Magpies rugby union midfield back Billy Ropiha in the second row.

Other grades

Reserve grade, Otane 38 Bay Bulldogs 14; wahine, Tamatea 44 Maraenui Phoenix 4; under-18 men, Maraenui Phoenix 62 Napier Tech Seals 16; under-16 boys, Omahu 42 Napier Pirate Panthers 10; under-16 girls, Bridge Pa 76 Maraenui 9; under-14 boys, Bridge Pa 18 Maraenui 14; under-14 girls, MAC 36 Omahu 10.