For a large majority of the first spell Taihape had control of the ball in Pirates' territory, yet home side fullback Junior Ainea still managed a try seven minutes into the match for an early 5-nil lead after missing his own conversion attempt.
Taihape responded three minutes later with their own try when lock Hoani Woodhead crossed. Player coach and fullback Dane Whale converted to give Taihape a 7-5 lead.
Taihape continued to apply the pressure bungling several point-scoring penalty chances.
On another occasion Taihape opted to kick for touch from a penalty, but failed to take the subsequent lineout cleanly allowing Pirates to make a searching run down the outer, only to be hauled in late.
Taihape was again given a kickable penalty when Pirates were nabbed for not rolling away, but the kick went astray once again.
Young Tyrell managed to break the advantage line numerous times setting up chances for Pirates, including setting up centre Vaovasa Afasua to sprint clear with the ball eventually passing to second five Meki Magele to dot down under the posts five minutes before half time. The conversion took the half time score to 12-7 Pirates' way, although with just three minutes to go, Whale had a slender chance to draw closer with a penalty 43-metres out. His kick fell just short.
Whale missed yet again two minutes into the second spell before deciding to pass on kicking duties to winger Te Rangitapu McLeod who made an almost immediate impact slotting a penalty five minutes later - it was 12-10 to Pirates. McLeod, however, also had his misses including an attempt with 25 minutes left on the clock.
Soon after Taihape launched a strong attack on Pirates line playing through a penalty advantage that referee Ben Lourie eventually called time on. Taihape managed a scrum feed 5m from Pirates line and despite dominating this facet of play all game, Pirates held strong denying the visitors once again.
With 20 minutes of the match to play Morris cunningly ordered Patrick Hiscox, Eman savage and Matt Davis to take the field from the bench. Ainea slotted a penalty with 13 minutes to go to bring the scoreline to 15-10.
Taihape continued to pound Pirates try line without reward. The visitors were given the scrum feed metres from the line only to be denied again. A tap and go looked likely to yield something for Taihape until Pirates forced a turnover to make a clearing kick.
Taihape tried once again to launch and attack but the heat had gone out of their challenge and within minutes Hiscox added salt to the wound making a strong run down the grandstand line to score. The conversion was missed with just 43 seconds left on the clock.
Immediately after the final whistle, Morris said "that was for the three missing guys".
"But hey, defence wins finals," Morris said.
"Finals rugby is a completely new competition and our defence was superb. I can't say enough about the performances Meki and Vasa (Afasua) and Lasa (Ulukuta) who led the team."
Dane Whale was bitterly disappointed post match.
"We've just got to take it on the chin, this is finals rugby and that's what it's all about. We just couldn't do it today," he said as he walked from the field.
