Tenacious team spirit takes out title

In a day where both sides had heroes and villains as the pendulum swung, there were plenty of Wanganui players who earned their medals.

Lock Sam Madams, so often a lightning rod for referees, was outstanding as he tied North Otago's big men up or got low on his feet over the ball, creating several priceless turnovers.

Mobile prop Viki Tofa, who at the start of the campaign was a somewhat contentious selection ahead of veteran Vaan Rauhina, had a mighty game.

All across the ground he never shirked the hit ups and put on some copybook chopping tackles.

Coach Jason Caskey praised Tofa, as North Otago's giants could often get another five metres to 10 metres when they came into contact from upper body tackling, but the frontrower proved no one can run without their legs.

"There was a lot of players that put their hand up," said Caskey, who had to feel redeemed after the horror start to his side's Heartland season left them fighting to even make the Lochore playoffs, getting through on a narrowly superior for/against record to Thames Valley.

Ultimately they finished the year with a 5-5 record.

"It was attitude building, team spirit, early on we didn't have that," Caskey said.

"We're starting to get it now and, rather than play as individuals, they are playing as a team and for each other."

Unlike two seasons ago in the Meads Cup final, this time the bench coming on lifted the tempo and added impact, particularly Bryn Hudson, while Rhema Sagote and captain Peter Rowe can feel well pleased with their performances.

The lineout through hooker Cole Baldwin and lock Sonny Woodmass was also an asset, rather than the lottery of previous matches.

With the victory, Wanganui becomes the third union to have won both the Meads and Lochore Cup trophies since the Heartland union started in 2006.

Buller would not join them, as their undefeated season was spoiled by a resurgent Mid Canterbury, 36-13 in the Meads Cup final in Westport.