The Waikite women's rugby team have been crowned Baywide champions after a gritty and determined 21-10 win over Rangataua in the final.
Put under immense pressure for long periods, Waikite did what they have done so well this season - backed their defence, absorbed pressure and made the most of their attacking opportunities.
Waikite were on the front foot early thanks to a rampaging run from loose forward Luka Connor, who led the way in attack and defence as she has done all season.
Waikite were awarded a penalty right out in front and took an early 3-0 lead when Jamie Tautari kicked the goal.
Rangataua began to work their way into the game and for a solid 20 minutes had Waikite camped at their own end. Had Rangataua finished off a couple of gilt-edged opportunities it could have been an entirely different game.
However, they weren't able to get on the board and having defended their line like their lives depended on it, Waikite went to the other end and scored through centre Autumn-Rain Stephens on the back of a sublime run up the middle by Dolly Roberts.
Rangataua hit straight back through a try to winger Davina Playle-Thompson. After keeping the ball in hand and building phases they spread the ball right and fullback Piatarihingamare Devon showed great awareness to suck in defenders before putting her winger over in the corner.
EYES UP: Rangataua winger and try-scorer Davina Playle-Thompson looks for a passing option during the final against Waikite. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
Waikite played the last 10 minutes of the half with 14 players after they had a player sin-binned for a high tackle but managed to add another penalty goal and led 11-5 at halftime.
The second half was a battle of attrition, in what was an extremely fast-paced game of rugby, and Waikite started it well.
They shifted the ball side to side inside the 22 before Connor, who seemed to be popping up everywhere, drew the last defender on the right and put winger Atareta Taakuta over in the corner.
Rangataua refused to go down without a fight and once again spent long periods with Waikite stuck in their own end.
Several opportunities came but were closed down by a hungry Waikite defensive line.
However, with 10 minutes to play Rangataua were awarded for their persistence when lock Tracey Lemon scored in the corner to make the score 16-10 and give her side a chance.
Waikite quickly shut the door on a Rangataua comeback. They kept the ball in hand for several phases in the Rangataua 22 before shifting the ball left.
First five-eighth Tautari, who had another impressive game, drew in defenders and offloaded to one of Waikite's most experienced players and leaders Eliza Stephens who, fittingly, raced across the line to seal victory.
LEADER: Waikite fullback Eliza Stephens looks to slip out of a tackle. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
Waikite coach Shane Wilson said the unsteady way the season had started made winning the final that much sweeter.
"From where we started to where we finished was unbelievable. Earlier in the season things weren't going well for us but we had a meeting and sorted it all out.
"It feels pretty awesome, it was a titanic effort today. Things weren't going our way, we lost a few lineouts and things weren't going to plan, but the ladies defended hard and trusted our systems.
"The All Blacks would've been happy with that defence, it was stoic," Wilson said.
Speaking during the trophy presentation, Waikite captain Janina Khan said she hoped her team had made their supporters and injured players proud with the performance they produced.
"We have 11 players who had made a grand final before today, you other players have now joined our 11 today to make history for our club this year.
"[Rangataua] brought everything you had today, you played a massive game and good luck for the future," Khan said.
Rangataua coach Paul Pou said, considering it was his side's first year in the competition, it was a very successful season.
"It was good quality women's rugby today, it was a good contest. Well done to Waikite, they did their homework and deserved the win.
"Their defence is outstanding, they've got good systems and I think the difference is they made their one-on-one tackles where we didn't.
"We're a new club, for some of them it's their first year of rugby, we couldn't have ended it any better way than making the final - the better team won.
"It's been an awesome season, we've really enjoyed it," Pou said.
