A simple game plan paid rich dividends when Greytown broke a long drought by beating East Coast 26-17 in the grand final of the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union's Tui Cup premier division competition at Memorial Park, Masterton on Saturday.
Seeking their first premiership since 1996, Greytown were intent on applying pressure on their opposition from the outset with the aim of dominating the forward exchanges to the extent that the classy East Coast backs would have scant opportunity to shine.
"We knew what their backs could do if they were given front foot ball and we focused on denying them that, "Greytown skipper Kurt Simmonds said. "For us it was all about doing the basics well, of not making mistakes which would let them into the game. We didn't want to be flashy, we just wanted to keep things simple and I guess it pretty much worked out the way we wanted it to."
Simmonds, who had earlier won the premiership with Gladstone in 2007, said the latest grand final success typified the sort of teamwork Greytown had developed under the coaching of Ritchie Robertson, the astute mentor who had come on board when the role fell vacant early in the season.
"He [Ritchie] has always talked about rugby being a team game and that's where the focus has been for us, "Simmonds said. "We might not have the stars of some of the other sides have but we work hard for each other, and that's what counts."
The Greytown skipper readily concedes, however, that it wasn't until about the third round of Tui Cup qualifying play that he started to seriously believe they could go all the way.
"I remember we had a close win over Marty [Martinborough] and I thought then that it was on," he said.
Simmonds is quick, too, to emphasise the importance of the support of Greytown fans, especially during the grand final where they made up a good portion of what was a large and vocal crowd.
"They have got right behind us and the boys really appreciate that, it's played a big part in us getting to where we have. Everybody has been so positive, it's been terrific."
Greytown's win gave Robertson his third premier division title as coach. He was in charge when Greytown won in 1992 and helped John Pereira coach East Coast to the premiership in 2008.
Four other finals were played at Memorial Park on Saturday, Pioneer beating Carterton 14-10 to take the Hodder Steffert Cup premier division plate, Rams beating Puketoi 29-15 in the Shannahan Cup senior seconds decider which went to extra time, Carterton edging out Bush Sports 14-13 in the Ryan Cup senior reserve grade and Rams beating Eketahuna 15-10 in the President's Cup senior reserve plate match.
Extended finals day coverage, page 29.