Paraparaumu chase six straight titles
After a season of winning streaks, slumps and surprises, Horowhenua-Kapiti’s rugby season has reached a familiar climax.
Paraparaumu will be bidding for their sixth straight title when they face Waikanae in the premier final on Saturday afternoon.
The defending champs pipped Shannon 21-20 at the Paraparaumu Domain, while Waikanae headed north to beat top qualifiers Levin College Old Boys 30-14.
Paraparaumu started the season slowly under new coach Garry Phelps, winning one of their first three games and struggling with a lengthy injury list.
They have built momentum since then. They haven’t lost since a 13-8 defeat to Foxton in midMay, and have beaten all the other playoff teams since.
The injuries have cleared up too - Phelps said this Saturday would be the first time he’s had a whole squad to choose from this season.
‘‘It’s a pretty hard task to make our squad. Our bench is as strong as out first XV. It’s a good headache to have.’’
They started strongly against Shannon, taking an 18-7 half-time lead, before withstanding the visitors’ rally in the second half.
‘‘They just had the run of play. They played well to their credit,’’ Phelps said. ‘‘I think our boys were pretty calm. We’ve been in that situation before.’’
Waikanae lost four in a row during the season, culminating in an 8-7 defeat to Paraparaumu, and coach Simon Fifield said the team had ‘‘a good hard look at them- selves’’.
‘‘We made a pact not to lose another game. Now we’ve got one more.’’
The team hit their straps in the semifinal, especially in the second half, when their superior fitness told.
It has been eight years since Waikanae last won the title, and Fifield said it would mean a lot to end Paraparaumu’s dominance.
‘‘We’d really like to do it this year. The supporters are all very passionate Waikanae people. There’s the old rivalry between the two clubs ... they’re all good mates off the field but on the field, they are fierce enemies.’’
Waikanae also have a clean bill of health.
If recent history is anything to go by, the final is likely to be close. Both meetings this season have been won by the away side, 23-17 by Waikanae and 8-7 by Paraparaumu.
The sides contested a tryless 2015 final, which Paraparaumu won 12-9. Last season’s decider went to extra time before Paraparaumu prevailed over College Old Boys, 20-10.
The all-Kapiti final will be prefaced by an all-Horowhenua affair in the senior reserves final, with LCOB playing Wanderers at 12:45pm, followed by the premiers at 2:45pm.