Pirate coach Andy Lord was equally as delighted as Murtha.
"Considering the resistance Taradale put up I couldn't be happier. I'm sure we can beat Havelock if we cut down our errors ... and I'm sure Duck won't have another off game with the boot like he did today," he said, referring to first five David Neilson, who missed four of his six attempts at goal.
Taradale manager Paul Atkins was quick to praise the urgency of the Pirate outfit but still predicted Havelock to win the final.
"When we turned at halftime with the wind at our backs we thought we could do what we did to Pirates here in the first round when we won 35-7 but it wasn't to be ... Pirates were too hungry."
Flanker Lloyd Foote was prominent in a Pirate pack which had no passengers and Neilson's directional play compensated for his poor goal-kicking form. Hooker Mike Sosene-Feagai and lock Elijah Martin were the pick of the Taradale forwards.
Apart from the line break from pivot Manihera Eden that led to the try by fullback Dan McIntyre there was little for the Taradale backs to toast.
-Havelock Nth 22 Hastings 17
So much for the career-ending fifth concussion for first five-eighth J'ndre Liebenberg being a major blow for the villagers.
"I think Dan Snee did more damage with his huge boot, both in general play and with his goal kicking than what J'ndre would have done," Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports co-coach Karl Jones said after this semifinal loss to Progressive Meats Havelock North at Anderson Park.
Snee succeeded with six attempts, five penalties and a conversion, from eight attempts at goal.
"We played well enough but gave away too many penalties. After leading 11-3 early we were 22-14 down after not starting the second half well," Jones explained.
Along with Snee, experienced loosies Zane Rangi, Luke Ottley and Sam Lamborn were inspirational for the villagers.
Captain and flanker Ben Hamelink, No8 Tivaini Fomai and lock Ben Parsons were Hastings' best.
Jones also predicted a villagers win in the final.
Havelock North manager Conrad Waitoa said his troops would start as the underdogs.
"Pirates have got the Challenge Shield and have been consistent all season. We're just coming right."
-Tamatea 32 Aotea 12
Hawke's Bay premier rugby will go a 10th consecutive season without change to the clubs participating next year after this Tamatea victory at Bill Mathewson Park in the annual promotion-relegation clash.
As was the case last year this was Tamatea's only win in 19 matches this season. However, unlike last year Tamatea were unable to play All Black Hika Elliot as he was ruled out as not being a Hawke's Bay-registered player.
Elliot still had influence in the running of the cutter while running water bottles. First-season coach Tane Cooper again played for Tamatea and was among their tryscorers.
Division two champions for the past three seasons, Aotea, led 7-3 at halftime but in the end it was the difference in playing levels between the two grades that told.
