Rugby league: Bridge Pa toast second premier title in 3 years

Bridge Pa scrumhalf Colin Hokianga takes on the Tamatea defence during Saturday's grand final. Photo / Duncan Brown

Bridge Pa coach Ihaka Waerea saluted his team's superior fitness and composure levels after they captured a second Hawke's Bay premier club rugby league title on Saturday.

"Towards the back end of the second half it was those two things which came into play," Waerea said after Bridge Pa's 44-30 win against Tamatea at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park in Hastings.

"It was an awesome game from both teams who turned up to play. It was what a final should be," Waerea added.

Former Tamatea backrower Ivan Bellamy produced a player-of-the-match display for Bridge Pa. He had a massive defensive workrate and produced some big hits when they were required. Secondrower Willie Schuster played the entire 80 minutes and was "a beast" in all aspects of play, according to Waerea.

Centre Jackson Waerea and winger Jarome Mareikura were a lethal attacking duo down the left side.

Coach Waerea will take his side to the national Maori tournament in Rotorua at Labour Weekend where they will compete in the Waka grade.

"We're pretty happy. After winning the reserve grade in 2015 we've been up in the premier grade since then and this is our second title at premier level," Waerea said.

Former Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby prop Mason Kean and fellow experienced frontrowers Richie Eagle, Raumoa Timu and Johnny Wang did plenty of damage for Tamatea. Centre Fale Matamata was again impressive in the Tamatea backline.

Three Solomon brothers, centre Chaz, secondrower Harlan and standoff-centre Harris, were prominent for Bay Bulldogs during their 30-26 win against Bridge Pa in the reserve grade final. Co-coach Levi Armstrong said Chaz was particularly impressive and bagged a 50-metre runaway to secure the victory.

"Bridge Pa scored two late tries to close the gap. We hope to take this team up to the premier grade next year and will be aiming to field reserve grade and women's teams next year," Armstrong added.

Secondrower Pat Smith was another to shine for the Bulldogs.

In the women's final Tamatea beat previously unbeaten defending champions Bridge Pa 32-18. Standoff Deidre Hakopa led the Tamatea side by example.

Prop Whitley Mareikura was Bridge Pa's best player.

"We left our worst game of the season for the last game. It was the wake-up call we needed before going to the national Maori tournament," coach Alan Mason said.