Suburbs have taken out Auckland's premier club rugby competition for 2016.
Suburbs 12
Grammar TEC 9
The Gallaher Shield returns to west Auckland for the first time since 2003 and to the Suburbs club for the first time since Craig Dowd led them to victory in 1992.
It is truly a rags-to-riches story for Suburbs, who went from the mediocrity of 10th last season to
the pinnacle of Auckland premier club rugby in just 12 months. And Charlie McAlister's charges fully deserved their moment in the sun after leading defending champions Grammar TEC 12-6 at the break and then hanging on with some staunch defence and audacious attack in a tense second half to ensure the Gallaher has a fourth different winner in the last four years.
Grammar TEC lent on a solid scrum, the boot of Jono Hickey and some industrious work from the likes of No 8 Nil Moala, lock Scott Scrafton and prop Tom McHugh, who shrugged off any pain from turf toe.
But Suburbs always looked more likely on attack and scored the game's two tries, the first to fullback Pisi Leilua, who replaced the sick Lolagi Visinia, after some sweet lead-up work by centre Varasiko Duisokosoko. A try to Bruno Tuivai was ruled out after the event due to a knock-on, but flanker Shaun Devine was not to be denied after an incisive break by No 12 James Taufa.
