Waikite suffer heartbreaking defeat in final (+video)

Disappointment and sadness was etched all over the faces of travelling Waikite player's coaches and fans alike after the final whistle blew in the Baywide Premier final.

Last year's champions suffered a heartbreaking 25-21 defeat to an unbeaten and tough Tokoroa team away today, with Waikite prop Animei Skudder rushed to hospital in the second-half after a suspected hip injury.

In a re-run of last year's final it was always going to be an even contest with Waikite looking for revenge after their narrow 22-19 loss earlier in this season's campaign.

But the away side were unable to catch a 15 point deficit at half-time and coach Lee Ureta said basic mistakes cost them the title.

"We made crucial simple errors. And we were letting that ball bounce when we should have been taking it on the full," he said.

"Also the wind was a big factor in the first-half and we didn't use it to our advantage in the second.

"It really hurt us when Animei had to go. We lost a key player but we kept our heads and I'm proud that we played on right to the end.

"To win games it's about a whole team performance and with the intensity we were playing with at the end we could have won but it just wasn't meant to be."

Waikite were losing 15-0 at half time after Tokoroa tries from fullback Billie Raynes, and centre Chantae Wilson-Jenkins with a Jamie-Lee Tautari penalty and conversion.

Skudder was injured two minutes into the second-half after falling badly onto her hip.

After a lengthy wait for an ambulance to arrive Tokoroa extended their lead through another Raynes try - the quick-footed player broke through a gap in the Waikite defence which Tautari converted.

Excellent kicking once more from Tautari extended the hosts lead to 25-0 with a penalty after 53 minutes.

Waikite were then thrown a life line with the sin-binning of Tokoroa player Tegan Wallace followed shortly after by the red carding of Phyllis Horn.

And with eight minutes to go Waikite pulled it back to 25-14 after two impressive Luka Connor tries, playing at No.8, and two Taylor MacDougall conversions.

Waikite's captain Eliza Stephens rounded off an impressive season, playing in her last ever game for Waikite, crashing over with three minutes to go but it was too little too late.

Tokora coach AJ Purnell said discipline was the key to the side's success in the thrilling final.

"The team really deserve the win. They made the most of opportunities in the first half and that lead was crucial," he said.

"We stayed controlled in key moments and that was vital.

"I'm so proud of the team. Also the whole community has supported us all the way and they were like an extra play out their on the pitch."