AT A GLANCE

Otago Spirit 20 (Cheyenne Cunningham, Leah Miles tries; Georgia Cormick 2 con, 2 pen) Hawke’s Bay Tui 24 (Jaimee Robin, Leilani Hakiwai, Gemma Woods tries; Krystell Cottrell 3 con, pen). HT: 17-17

Match rating: 7/10

As finals go, it went down to the wire. Hawke’s Bay’s resilience in the second half was outstanding against Otago’s wave of attacks.

The big picture

The winners take Manawatā ’s place in the premiership next season after the Cyclones were relegated. The losers remain in the championship.

MVP

Cottrell was excellent at first-five and Green made vital metres down the left wing as Hawke’s Bay fought back before finishing strongly to win the final.