Heavy rain and strong wind plagued the match and worsened as the second half approached.
In the 23rd minute, referee Damien Macpherson showed YMP centre Mitch Purvis the red card for a tackle on Waikohu wing KC Wilson as the latter was taking a high ball.
That should have given Waikohu an immediate advantage but YMP rallied and played harder and with more intensity to make up for being a man down.
A strong carry by YMP winger Te Peehi Fairlie built momentum, then halfback Ra Broughton picked up the ball, drew in the last defender and offloaded to first five-eighth Kelvin Smith to cruise over the line to open the try-scoring.
The wind played a huge part in both teams’ kicking game, with the ball being carried away or blown back. This affected YMP fullback Andrew Tauatevalu’s conversion kick, which was unsuccessful.
The battle raged on until the break, and YMP started the second half 5-0 up.
Fourteen-man YMP didn’t give an inch and capitalised where they could.
A solid crash from second-five Taine Aupouri set up an attack. Quick ball from the ruck was sent wide to Tauatevalu, who sprinted for the corner and dived to slide in for a try.
That extended the lead to 10-0.
First-five Kelvin Smith took over the kicking duties, and his conversion attempt from close to the sideline went over . . . 12-0.
A holding-on penalty late in the second half gave YMP another opportunity to extend their lead.
Smith sent his kick over to make the final score 15-0.
Waikohu fought to the end. Having overcome adversity to get to the final, they committed and held strong.
“It wasn’t a season where things fell into place, but that’s life and that’s rugby,” Waikohu stalwart Geoff Pari said.
“Through adversity, trials and tribulations, we had to really lean on each other, which brought us back to the core of who we are and what we are about.
“Being resilient and overcoming that adversity for the love of our community and each other — that was our mindset.”
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Waikohu had a coaching change at the start of the season. Smith was player-coach last season and moved to YMP.
Pari said that Waikohu knew they were in for a battle in the final.
“Tane McGuire’s approach as coach was not to make excuses no matter what challenges we faced.
“But we have to give credit where it is due. We faced a classy YMP team.
“They set the bar all season and we congratulate them.
“When they had opportunities to score they were clinical. That was the difference on Saturday.
“We weren’t able to capitalise on our opportunities but we will take those lessons and be better for it next year.
Waikohu players such as second-five Jacob Leaf, flanker Adrian Wyrill and Reeves all played exceptionally well through the season.
“They have been top-tier performers for the whole season,” Pari said.
“We were fortunate enough to blood some young guys — Latrell Walker, Roy Horo, Kered Grant, Punch Noanoa. They got a taste of what is required for finals rugby . . . you can’t teach experience.”
YMP coach Kahu Tamatea led his club to Lee Bros Shield glory last year in his debut season as coach.
He took it a step further this year by engineering an undefeated 11-week campaign. One win — against High School Old Boys — was by default, and Week 10 was cancelled.
Tamatea paid tribute to the way his side responded following the sending-off of Purvis.
“I can’t take credit for how the boys reacted after Mitch’s red card,” Tamatea said.
“They just knew what had to be done and they did it.
“Our defence was the difference.
“I’m proud of how we progressed from what we started last year, and this is not only on the field but off it, too — the team culture, our whānau vibe; watching the new and young guys step up and also be leaders with our already established leadership group.”
Captain Shayde Skudder said his side had to work for the win.
“We just had to weather the storm,” he said. “We had to grind the whole game.
“We’ve been quite comfortable all year on and off the field.
“I respect Waikohu. They’re tough and a bloody good team who can play footy.
“What Ethine (Reeves) and Tane (McGuire) have done — from struggling at the start to making the final — just shows the quality team they are.”
YMP 15 (Kelvin Smith, Andrew Tauatevalu, tries; Smith con, pen).
WAIKOHU 0. HT: 5-0.
