Over seven phases of play, they brought the ball back across the ground before fullback Ariki Beach picked the ball up, went right and scored next to the posts.
Loosehead prop Char Haua-Kahaki converted Rickard’s try for 7-0.
Right-wing Karma Rickard scored a magnificent second try for the Maidens at the 30-minute mark, beating four defenders to score between the posts.
Haua-Kahaki’s conversion made it 14-0 at halftime.
The Vanessa Ngarimu and Katerina Ngarimu-coached Hikurangi worked hard to put themselves in a strong position against the three-time champions. TVC won the Hamoterangi Cup in 2019, 2020, 2021 before Waiapu dethroned them last year.
The Maunga won six out of seven games during the season and fielded three mother-daughter combinations in the final —Vanessa and Cassiopeia Harrison, Iritana Keelan and Destiny Keelan-Kenworthy, and Hiraina Green and her mother Hiria (also team manager).
In the 57th minute, referee Matt Richards awarded Tihirau a penalty try following a kick-and-chase in the shadow of the posts.
The skills and passion of the players from both teams on a track that made open running rugby difficult was impressive..
The visitors, skippered with distinction by hooker Maani Waititi, were competitive in all facets of play.
Fetcher Ripia Teddy and halfback Shirley Mullany were two of their best on the day.
Hikurangi men missed out on winning the Rangiora Keelan Memorial Shield as men’s champions this year, having last won it in 2016, but the club has a 2023 trophy to savour in the Hamoterangi Cup.
