Havelock North switch into celebration mode after winning the Maddison Trophy on Saturday. Photo / Paul Taylor
Kalin Paewai was quick to confess ... he has dreamed about collecting a Maddison Trophy winner's medal for most of his life.
But three tries in the final?
"That feels great. It could have been four had Andrew not knocked the ball out my hand when I was almost at the tryline," Paewai, the Havelock North second five-eighth, recalled after Progressive Meats Havelock North beat Carters Frame and Truss Taradale 37-12 in Saturday's final at Napier's McLean Park.
It could have been easy for the 19-year-old to beat himself up after that "Minties Moment" which saw exprienced Taradale fullback Andrew Wilson force him to spill the ball but instead he responded to the call from senior players to remain calm. He was rewarded with his second try in the 15th minute and his third early in the second half.
It completed a memorable day for the Paewai family. Earlier his father, former New Zealand Maori rep and Magpies centurion Murdoch, a multiple Maddison Trophy winner as a player and coach, had coached Havelock North to a 28-17 win against Hastings Rugby and Sports in the colts final at Elwood Park.
His twin brother Jesse scored a try in that final which the twins' grandfather and former New Zealand Maori and Magpies halfback Hepa Paewai saw before zapping over to McLean Park to witness the other twin's hattrick.
"Hopefully the Bay under-19 coaches were here too. I want a starting berth in that team now the club season has finished," Paewai added.
On Saturday's form it would have to be a given.
Havelock North co-captain and winger Jacob Kennedy said the 37-15 hiding Taradale gave his team during the Nash Cup was the turning point in their season. They remained unbeaten for the next 15 games.
"We're a bunch of misfits but our coaching staff kept us grounded," Kennedy added referring to former Magpies Davis Norman, Richard Kinnear, Luke Ottley and Simon Halford who wanted to focus on the celebrations before making a decision on their availability for next year.
All of the Havelock North players deserve praise for their polished performance, particularly during the first half when they established a 30-0 lead. Fullback Shannan Chase was always a threat on attack while centre Adam Bradey, who collected a fourth Maddison Trophy winner's medal, displayed the benefits of his vast experience.
Halford's work with the villagers scrum paid off big time. While the Taradale forwards enjoyed some memorable patches in the second half the villagers were in cruise mode by then.
Prop Joe Simeon and lock Reon Watts provided quality impact off the Taradale subs bench. Their loose forward trio of captain Andrew Gardner, fellow flanker Jaaron Fritz and No 8 Kaleb Sweet all had dominant moments as individuals but not enough as a unit when they could have done more damage.
First five-eighth Manihera Eden's never-say-die approach impressed but his Havelock counterpart J'ndre Liebenberg had the upperhand courtesy of the dominance of his forwards and regular quality ball.
Taradale co-coach Blair Cross agreed poor ball retention proved to be his troops downfall, particularly in the first half and as expected the villagers were quick to capitalise on spilled ball.
While the loss wasn't the send off he wanted after three years with the team he said his players can still hold their heads high after winning the Nash Cup with an unbeaten run and helping their club secure the Black and White Shield for the Bay's top club two weeks before the end of the season.
Scorers: Havelock North 37 (K Paewai 3, J Robin 2, E Maui tries; J Liebenberg 2 cons, pen), Taradale 12 (M Eden, J Fritz tries; U Tupuola con). HT: 30-0.