Ngaru Roa's Sean Herbert was rapt with the result, noting the outcome was a major confidence booster for his side in heading into the finals with the knowledge they had - as the new team on the block - nearly pushed this year's form team to the limit.
"We were absolutely stoked. Just the meanest game. Our boys gave it their all."
Try by Hokianga, conv by Connor Whitley Sua, with standouts being Ambrose Adams (in the backs) and Jonno Beazley (forwards).
Looking forward to next week's showdown, Herbert said everyone was armed and ready. He remembered the day the two sides had met in a friendly at the start of the season, a match Kaitaia had won convincingly.
"If it's like our first game, it'll be our last. So we will just play as hard as we can. It's on!"
Ngati Kuri 10 Te Rarawa 25 (ht 15-3): Te Rarawa won comfortably in Te Hapua to finish the season in third place on the standings, and preparing to face arch rivals in Taipa in the second of the top four semis this Saturday.
In usual form, Te Rarawa captain Tom Rogers said it was a good hard game but proceedings got a "bit heated for five minutes or so" at one stage. He also acknowledged the side's loyal supporters who did a good job of filling the team bus for the big trip north.
Tries by Thomas Rogers, Vance Pure, Aaron Graham, Johnny Patrick with Tory Te Paa kicking a penalty and conversion; standout player award given to the whole team. Ngati Kuri's Dwayne Golley described it as a good game, and said the visitors played well and deserved to win: "They brought their game." Jordan Brown scored all the homeside's points, a try, conversion and penalty; with standouts noted as being prop Sedman Conrad and Taylor Waenga in the backs.
Aupouri 7 Motukohu 10: Motukohu would have left Te Kao feeling like they had won the battle but lost the war after news came through the Hokianga side had missed out on the remaining top four playoff spot to cousins Ngaru Roa on countback. Tries by James Dean (the centre getting a POTD award) with Miha Te Uruti converting and adding a penalty.
Aupouri's Johnny Everitt said the scoreline on Saturday was ample evidence both teams had gone into the match determined to win.
"Awesome game, we just couldn't finish the season with a win. Well-reffed by Mat [Radich]."
Try by Quintin Nathan, converted by Russell Nathan, while standouts were Clinton White and Joe Oneroa in forwards, and Aaron Munroe in the backs.
Eastern 92 Waipapakauri Awanui 0: Eastern coach Mike Jurlina was almost apologetic about recording the biggest scoreline in Mangonui rugby this season in a one-sided affair at Taipa.
"All we really wanted was a win to seal a home semi but the score blew out. I suppose it was a chance for us to cut loose and throw the ball around - spectators loved it. But the reality was Awanui Waipap started with only 14 players and finished with less, so deserve credit for fronting in what's been a tough year for them.
While our boys had a good day, nobody's kidding themselves about the result and our focus, as soon as we got back into the sheds, was next week against Rarawa who are undefeated this year and are the reigning champs. There's a good buzz in the club this year and the players are up for it."
Tries Nick Jurlina 4, Dan Field 3, John Butler, Lance Brockbank, Leon Albert, Taka Albert, Josh Robson (and 11 conv), Shay Carey, Lance Urlich.
Waipap Awanui, meanwhile, are now unlikely to play the bottom four semi final against Ngati Kuri this Saturday: a hapless season finally over for the collaboration and difficult to imagine coach Wihi Stevenson will be anything other than relieved. He just wanted to thank those players who had put their hands up "all the way" during the season, and hoped a team - or teams - would regain some mojo over summer and return to the Mangonui competition the stronger for the experience this year.
