After an impressive regular season, Hautapu fell short 32-21 against Hamilton Marist in the Waikato premier club rugby Breweries Shield final on Saturday.
Rui Farrant sets sail to score for Hautapu in Hamilton. Photo: Matt Gould
Both teams had only one loss a piece before heading into the final match on Marist’s artificial turf.
“Our winning run showed we had the confidence in ourselves. By the end of season, we had a real identity of how we wanted to play our games,” Hautapu head coach Jackson Willison said.
“The thing I was most proud of the boys for on Saturday was, we knew how we wanted to play the final.
“While we didn’t get the result, we didn’t go away from how we approached the season.”
The visitors were down 19-7 at the break and managed to add a further two tries in the second half.
Ultimately, the Marist “green machine” was too strong.
Hautapu halfback and captain Quintony Ngatai led from the front, while lock Dylan Eti had several barnstorming carries.
“We probably gave Marist too much of a head start. We came back with three nice tries and were within three points, but it wasn’t to be,” Willison said.
Dillon Martin looks to bump off a Hamilton Marist player. Photo: Matt Gould
“Marist have been really good all season. It was quite an exciting challenge for our club.
“Without our supporters and certainly sponsors, there’s no club, so thank you. My sense is the club is in a good position moving forward.”
Hautapu under-21 also played in a final on Saturday, losing 41-18 to Hamilton Old Boys in the Elliott Shield match at Fred Jones Park.
Beau Wallis and Maraekiti Nepia scored Hautapu’s tries. Ned Collins added a conversion and two penalty goals.
Hautapu reserve Todd Silva watches in suspense. Photo: Matt Gould
The home side seized seven tries to lift the shield in front of their fans.
“The under-21s can be really proud of their season. They had a few challenging games and people probably wrote them off,” Willison said.
“While they didn’t win the final, I do think that in time, the boys will reflect on the season and see their success.
“There’s a good bunch of lads now who will be ineligible for under-21s, so they will naturally move up into the senior squad.
“It’ll be quite exciting if we keep hold of all our depth.”
The year isn’t quite over for Hautapu. They’re well represented in Waikato sides this season.
Several Waikato NPC, New Zealand Harlequins and Waikato under-19 representatives have been selected out of the Cambridge-based club.
Pirongia B player Jake Pitcon scores in the corner against Southern United B. Photo: Julie Gibson
In the division 1 Mooloo Shield competition, Leamington and Pirongia also played their final games for the year on Saturday.
Pirongia finished on a high, beating Tokoroa-based Southern United 24-10 under the mountain.
Flynn Wuest, Lochie Bolstad, Daniel Belk and Callum Hall crossed the chalk for the home side.
The Pirongia B team have booked themselves a home final against Suburbs after beating Southern United B 17-12.
Backs Jake Pitcon and Sani Ramuwai scored tries, while Kingston Grant sealed the deal, adding two conversions and a penalty.
Leamington travelled south to Putāruru, and lost 43-7. Henry Drew was their sole try scorer.
In the division 1 championship, Ōhaupō had a bye week, as did their B side.
Both Ōhaupō teams have secured home finals against Taupiri this Saturday.
Hautapu lock Dylan Eti barges through the Marist defence. Photo: Matt Gould
