But on the paddock it was also a day when everything "clicked".
"We've been building for a good performance and finally put it all together, especially in the first half. It was 20-5 at halftime and in the second half we just had to hold on with our defence - and what a day to click."
If the first half was about outscoring the opposition, the second was all about defence.
"What we've been working towards as coaches and management and as a club culminated in that first half then, in the second half, they threw everything at us, but it was a really good game, the referee was awesome - everything about it was rugby at its best.
"They are last year's champions and were coming off a 71-10 win and coming to Rotoiti, I don't know, maybe they might have taken us lightly, but everything we've been working on worked."
Try-scoring hooker Raniera Whakataka had a strong game, said Francis, as did captain Baden Wardlaw.
"And first-five Whakataki Cunningham just directed the game defensively and in attack.
But it was the whole team really."
Whaka bounced back from the previous weekend's disappointment with a win coach Joe Savage said the players worked hard for.
"I'm glad we did it for ourselves and for the club and I'm hugely proud of the effort - the boys, they deserved it, they needed and they got it."
He said it was the kind of game Whaka don't always manage to win, coming from behind in the final quarter to take the points.
"They don't usually go our way, but fortunately it did. The boys showed a resolve towards the end of the game, and even during the game, with our backs to the wall."
Neither team was able to get a significant lead, Savage crediting the style of play for the
win.
"We played a more upbeat, uptempo game and it suited us a bit. We weren't getting the rub of the green very often but when we did we made it count.
Kelly Haimona was moved to fullback and was "pretty impressive".
"He was good for the opportunities that he took and the control at the back and keeping the ball in front of our forward pack helped us immensely."
Results
Baywide Premier: Mount Maunganui Sports 68 v Whakatane Marist 0, Tauranga Sports 85 v Poroporo 0, Rotoiti 23 v Rangataua 15, Te Puna 55 v Arataki 8,
Greerton Marist 56 v Paroa 20, Whakarewarewa 42 v Te Puke 41.
Baywide Development: Mount Maunganui Sports 56 v Whakatane Marist 14, Tauranga Sports v Poroporo - Tauranga Sports win by default, Rotoiti 47 v Rangataua 20, Te Puna 26 v Arataki 17, Greerton Marist 59 v Paroa 12, Te Puke 50 v Whakarewarewa 7.
Baywide Division 1: Ngongotaha 27 v Opotiki 21, Ruatoki v Te Teko 19, Waikite 36 v Kahukura 34, Marist St Michael's 20 v Judea 17, Waimana 44 v Katikati 17, Papamoa 50 v Rangiuru 21.
Baywide Women: Rangiuru 25 v Rangataua 24.
Secondary Schools rugby:
Chiefs Cup: Tauranga Boys College 1st XV 5 vs Hamilton Boys College 42, Rotorua Boys High School 34 vs Francis Douglas Memorial 14.
Chiefs Trophy: Taupo Nui a Tia college 0 vs St Peters School 41, Western Heights High School 25 v Rosehill College 12.
Division 1: Opotiki College 12 vs Te Wharekura o Mauao 68, Bethlehem College 23 vs Aquinas College 0, Rotorua Boys High School III 25 vs Trident High School 10, Rotorua Boys High School II 24 vs Tauranga Boys College II 5.
Division 2: Otumoetai College vs Te Puke High School-Game postponed; Papamoa College 12 vs Tauhara College 20, Mt Maunganui College 5 vs Whakatane High School 39, John Paul College 34 vs Tauranga Boys College III 5.
Division 3: Rotorua Boys High School V 30 vs Rotorua Lakes High School 27.
