Rugby: Third time lucky for Wellsford

Wellsford's Stu Oldfield makes a break during his side's 29-12 title-win over Mid Northern. Photo/ Michael Cunningham

Finals fever has come to an end for another year with Wellsford claiming the 2015 Bayleys Southern Districts Premiers trophy after trouncing Mid Northern at Toll Stadium.

Running in a sterling first half performance, Wellsford jumped to a convincing lead in the first spell to run 24 points clear of Mid Northern.

Spurred on by a halftime speil from coach Craig Edwards, Mid Northern upped the ante on defence and managed to get some points on the board.

However, a barrage of tidy tries from Wellsford in the first half was too big of a target to chase -- the final score 29-12 to Wellsford.

In the Bayleys Southern Districts Reserves final, Mid Northern scored a come from behind, 18-16, win to scrape past an impressive Otamatea reserve team.

Down on points at halftime, Mid Northern received a few stern words from the premier coaches which was enough for them to find their mojo.

Running in a superb try and a successful penalty kick as well, Mid Northern edged in front by two points.

Otamatea had a chance to take back the lead which they so diligently held on to for the first 60 minutes, but a missed penalty attempt from a relatively easy position on the field was the last sniff they had of toppling Mid Northern.

In the Division Two final between Southern and Pipiwai, some quality running rugby was played on the Toll Stadium track but it was Southern who came away the victors, 36-22.

- For a full match report on each of the games, plus photos of the teams in action, see the Northern Advocate's Monday edition.

Results:

Bayleys Southern Districts Premiers:
Wellsford 29 Mid Northern 12

Bayleys Southern Districts Reserves:
Mid Northern 18 Otamatea 16

Division Two:
Southern 36 Pipiwai 22