Hautapu v Marist grand final. The winners, Hautapu. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Hautapu beat Hamilton Marist 41-33 to win its seventh Waikato Rugby Union grand final today and they did it by playing the sort of rugby fans have come to expect from this fast-paced team.
After leading 26-12 at half-time, Hautapu withstood a Marist fightback to lift the shield in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Memorial Park.
Two quick tries from lock Simon Parker and flanker David Morris, both converted by Northampton fullback Cameron Gregory-Ring, stung Marist early. Marist hit back with a try from Jaime McCarthy but Hautapu, a man down in the sin bin, notched up tries to Tahere Reha and Senita Lauaki. Mason Tupaea scored for Marist just before the break keeping the Hamilton team in touch at the start of the second half.
But speedy wing Waisake Salabiau did what he’s been doing all season – running like a hare – and he scored in the corner to take Hautapu well clear again.
Marist fought back with a try to Eli Winders, converted by former St Peter’s School and Brumbies player Wharanui Hawera.
Replacement Hautapu hooker Nic Jeffcoat scored in a melee but again Marist hit back with a try to Hawera to bring the game to a 10-point one with less than 10 minutes to go
Captain Kaea Hongara’s try took Hautapu over 40 points safe, it seemed, with five minutes to play at 41-26. Mason Tupaea scored his second try for Marist, quickly converted by Hawera and it was 41-33 with Marist having to score twice to win, an impossible task with Hautapu counting down the clock by hanging onto possession.
In a day Waipā rugby supporters will long remember, Leamington won the Division 1b final beating Tokoroa’s Southern United 36-12 at Leamington and Te Awamutu Sports won the Premier B final with a 30-28 win in Hamilton against Marist.
Leamington Senior B player Neihana McKinnon crashes over for a try in the team’s final against Tokoroa’s Southern United Football Club. Photo: Jeremy Smith.
But there was also disappointment – Leamington made the trip to Putāruru for the division one final going down 24-17 and the Hautapu Colts wasted a golden opportunity to host the grand final blowing a lead in the last round robin match to lose 26-21 at Memorial Park, Cambridge to Morrinsville.
They will play Morrinsville again on Saturday at 1pm, this time in the semi-final but if, as expected, round robin winners Hamilton Marist beat Hamilton Old Boys in the other semi, the final will be in Hamilton.
Bristol halfback Archie Hayes tries to fire the Colts backline into action late in the second half of their loss to Morrinsville.
Pirongia finished eighth in the Colts round robin with 40 points losing 18-10 to fifth-placed Hinuera.
In a Friday match, Leamington beat their Te Awamutu Colts counterparts 40-31 to finish 10th with 37 points while Te Awamutu finished 12th on 19 points.
Results – Colts: Pirongia 10 Hinuera 18, Hautapu 21 Morrinsville 26, Leamington 40 Te Awamutu 31.
Division One: Putāruru 24 Leamington 17, Division 1B: Leamington 36 Southern United 12.
Premier Championship: Hautapu 41 (Simon Parker, David Morris, Tahere Reha, Senita Lauaki, Waisake Salabiau, Nic Jeffcoat, Kaea Hongara tries; Cameron Gregory-Ring three convs) Hamilton Marist 33 (Mason Tupaea 2, Jaime McCarthy, Eli Winders, Wharanui Hawera tries, Wharanui Hawera 4 convs.)
Ball girl Mia Balzer catches the ball while the action goes on behind her. Hautapu v Marist grand final
Flanker Shi Jie Yong was an early casualty, off the field in the first five minutes for Hautapu. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Opening try: Simon Parker opens the scoring for Hautpau v Marist. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Flanker David Morris scores Hautapu’s second try. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Hautapu supporters wait for the award ceremony. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
No one seemed to mind this photo bomb, adds to the family aspect of the Hautapu club. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Jason Thomasen and his family after the grand final victory. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Leamington senior B half back Todd King braces for impact against Southern United. Photo: Jeremy Smith.
