Nervous title victory for Horowhenua Ka¯piti
Horowhenua Ka¯piti coach Chris Wilton could see his life flashing before his eyes late in the Lochore Cup final against Wairarapa Bush.
That was when Wairarapa Bush were leading 23-19 at Levin Domain on Sunday. Horowhenua Ka¯piti scored a late try to win the game, a fitting end to their 125th jubilee celebrations.
Horowhenua Ka¯ piti had the better of a tight first half, leading 16-7 at the break, but then Wairarapa Bush roared back into the game, erasing Horowhenua Ka¯ piti’s lead, then going in front.
Luckily for Wilton’s nerves, reserve Horowhenua Ka¯piti hooker David Mcerlean barged his way over for the matchwinner and they hung on for the final seven minutes.
‘‘I don’t ever think I’ve been so nervous,’’ Wilton said.
‘‘When you think about 125 years and you think about never winning a cup, you think about me as a rep coach here for 18 years and you think about that moment.
‘‘My body was shaking when it all comes down to that.
‘‘We were behind by four and it was pretty unreal up there in the coach’s box in the end.’’
It was Horowhenua Ka¯ piti’s first title since their centenary year in 1993, when they won the third division final.
Wairarapa Bush, led by inspirational lock James Goodger, did their best to spoil the party and spent the last two minutes hot on attack, but couldn’t score.
‘‘I don’t think we’ve ever had a game where we’ve been comfortable,’’ Wilton said. ‘‘We joke about it – that it’s bad for our hearts.
‘‘We have won games by three points, two points – every game has been the same. We’ve been there before, but this was a bit different. Wairarapa Bush came out strong and we were a bit nervous.’’
Horowhenua Ka¯ piti led 9-0 early after three penalties from first fiveeighth James So’oialo, whose tactical kicking also put Wairarapa Bush on the back foot.
Openside flanker Aaron Lahmert was one of the stars for Horowhenua Ka¯piti, stealing ball and full of running. He scored a try in the first half.
Tighthead prop Scott Cameron made many powerful runs and was the cornerstone of a powerful scrum.
Impressive Wairarapa Bush wing Soli Malatai scored their try in the first spell with an 80-metre effort, where he stole the ball from big Horowhenua Ka¯piti centre Timoci Serawalu and raced away.
Prop Sam Gammie scored Wairarapa Bush’s second try, then first five-eighth Tipene Haira put them in front with penalties.
In the top-tier Meads Cup final, Thames Valley stunned South Canterbury 17-12 in Timaru.