Top qualifiers Mid Western had a slight case of the nerves heading into their semifinal clash with Kamo at Maungakaramea.
But they quickly dispersed at kickoff, when left wing Luke Muggeridge collected the ball and took off to score a try after 35 seconds.
Muggeridge converted his try and then backed up,
dotting down a second a few minutes later.
Kamo recovered to dominate for the next 20 minutes, and wing Steve Morris closed the gap with a converted try. But flanker Brent Murray replied with Mid Western's third try just before halftime.
The hosts extended their half time 21-7 lead five minutes into the second half, when Karaitiana Vette Welsh and Ben Mathers scored, before a late charge from the Kamo forward pack, which saw them dot down with five minutes to go to take the score to 33-14.
Kamo kept most of the possession during the match and they moved the ball well across the paddock but Mid Western's defence was the deal breaker, Mid Western coach Simon Cauty said.
"Our defence has been good all year and I think that was the difference in the end. We had expected a hard game with Kamo getting their Northland players back - Brad Linklater and Dan Mason [Cam Goodhue did not play], and we were nervous heading in as the top qualifiers. Our success throughout the season would mean nothing if we did not win the semi."
Now their focus will switch to Saturday's game against Mid Northern, when they hope to put the icing on the cake by winning the Southern Districts premiers title.
Mid Northern had been the form side in the latter half of the season, Cauty noted.
Southern Districts reserve grade also played their semifinals at the weekend, and the reserve grade final will be played ahead of the premier grade final this Saturday at Toll Stadium. The Western Sharks narrowly pipped HoraHora 13-11 at Dargaville and booked themselves a finals berth alongside Mid Northern, who beat Kamo 25-12 at Hukerenui.
