Third division champions Wairarapa Bush and beaten finalists Horowhenua-Kapiti both believe they can remain at the forefront when the NPC landscape shifts next year.
Wairarapa Bush held off a strong finish from their arch-rival neighbours to win the third division final 28-23 at Memorial Park, Masterton, on Saturday.
Up to
25-6 midway through the second half, thanks largely to a hat-trick from centre Simanu Simanu, the hosts let in three tries in 14 minutes but were able to hold on for their first NPC title since 1981.
It was probably the last third division match ever played, with the championship being dis-established next year.
All third division teams and the smaller second division unions will contest an amateur-based first division, below the 14-team professional premier division.
Wairarapa Bush coach Peter Russell said the result was the perfect entry point to next year's competition, where his team had set their sights high.
"We've spoken about it all year really," Russell said.
"There's not much difference between what we're doing and those bottom 4-5 teams in division two."
Horowhenua-Kapiti coach Peter Kemp was disappointed his team dropped below their form of recent weeks. But he said the season had been a success in how they had improved since losing 50-3 to Wairarapa Bush in the second round.
He believed the momentum could continue next year.
Both coaches believed that most of their players should be back next year, one exception being Wairarapa Bush captain Mike Robinson, the No 8's yeoman career ending on a high note.
- NZPA
