Rotorua International Stadium has very nearly become the scene of one of the great Tai Mitchell comebacks.
Tauranga East raced out to a surprise 25-5 halftime lead against their Tauranga West counterparts in yesterday's final before giving up 19 unanswered points to take the Tai Mitchell Shield by a solitary point.
Tauranga East coach Jeff Robb admitted to being slightly shaky in the face of West's furious late comeback.
"The first half I thought we were clinical and the forwards were doing the work, then in the second half West changed tactics and kept it close," he said.
"Obviously our strength is getting the ball wide and using our backs."