Moerewa Kawakawa retain BOI title
Moerewa United Kawakawa 24 Kaikohe 18 (HT 14-6): The defending champions retaining the Bay title in spectacular style when Rhys Te Nana scored the match-winning try with two minutes left on the clock in the Bay of Islands grand final at Kawakawa.
But even while an upset beckoned, it was hard to shake off a nagging feeling of anticlimax. Up until a couple of years ago, making a rugby subunion final represented the zenith of the sporting season for many local communities.
However, the Northland Rugby Union’s policy giving club teams a chance to play at a higher level in the Whanga¯rei-based Bayleys Premiership meant this game wasn’t as huge a priority for the victors as it once had been.
Going in to the final, Moerewa UK were clearly more focused on the two upcoming fixtures offering an opportunity to break free of a grassroots competition which has fallen on hard times in terms of player number and interest.
United Kawakawa Moerewa coach Wayne Martin argued to the contrary by stating Saturday’s final had been another great advertisement for Bay rugby. He noted Kaikohe came roaring out of the starting blocks and were clearly “fired up” for this one.
This was no more in evidence then when the visitors went ahead through two quick tries early in the second spell despite only having 14 on the paddock after a player had been sent to the bin just before half time.
Other Moerewa UK tries for Buster Tahere and Henare Davis with Henare Cherrington kicking four conversions.
The Bay champions now go forward to play Tomarata — the winner of the South Zone competition — for the Northland Championship at Moerewa this Saturday. The winner will go forward to play the bottom (10th) placed team from the Bayleys Premiership, while the loser will take on the ninth, in the annual promotion relegation matches the following Saturday, July 21.
Kaikohe coach Wally Harris happily addressed the issue of what had really been at stake in Saturday’s grand final, noting Moerewa UK’s focus on playing in Whanga¯rei had not diminished the competition’s mana [spirit] in any way, shape or form.
“Mana comes from the heart and I can assure you players were connected and engaged throughout the entire lead up. Yes, we only had four teams but all the games were played with great spirit. Purely for the respect that it holds, I would hate for this competition to dissolve; a lot of great players bleed for this shield and no one has the right to dissolve it.
“It’s a shame that we have lost a team (Kerikeri) and maybe Moerewa/ Kawakawa to the Whanga¯rei premiers comp. We need to work together to save not only rugby in the Far North but Northland!”
Ohaeawai Okaihau 16 Otiria 15: Having joined forces at the start of the year as a matter of survival, the combined Ohaeawai Okaihau completed their winter campaign by winning a thrilling McGarry Cup bottom four final in the day’s curtainraiser at Kawakawa.
Like the main event, this was well fought and narrowly won with Otiria pipped at the post after scoring the final try out wide in the last play of the game only for the subsequent conversion attempt to float just past the wrong side of the upright.
Bay of Islands final
Mangonui
Awanui 16 Eastern 23 (HT 9-17): Matches between these two teams rarely disappoint, at least since they’ve been Mangonui’s top dogs for the greater part