"We led 8-7 at half time and ended with a win to us by a solitary point. Both teams played extremely good rugby and even though it was the start of university holidays Massey was full strength."
For Friedel and co-coaches Carl Gibson and Darryl Malcolm it was been a five year battle to finally beat the top side.
"All three of us were three years with Whanganui High School in this division and now in our second with Metro and to finally beat Massey White is a huge achievement. There are some very big boys in the Massey team."
The win ensures Metro a spot in the July 22 final and while it is mathematically possible for another team to make the final, it is highly unlikely.
"It looks like a Metro/Massey final, although they have had their bye and play Old Boys Marist this weekend and they are a pretty tidy team. We have the bye this weekend and then play Kia Toa the week before the final. Kia Toa has yet to win a game, so it should be a good warm-up for us ahead of the final."
Friedel said while the narrow victory at the weekend was a full team effort he singled out captain and blindside flanker George Forster, lock Lochie Steedman and No8 Brayden Maua for special mention.
"George has great captaining skills and marshals the troups very well leading from the front, while Lochie was outstanding at lineout time claiming quality ball for our backs.
Brayden is a real up-and-comer. We were also helped with the return of Corbin Warren (No7) from a month-long concussion break," Friedel said.
