It was a bit of a kick in the guts but we'll
be back next year...- Doug Te PuniHora Hora coach QuoteBox1Mid Northern claimed this year's Southern Districts Premier Reserve grade club rugby title after a cohesive team effort at Hukerenui to hold Hora Hora 14-8.
Mid Northern's forward pack took much
of the load in the last 15 minutes of Saturday's match to prevent Hora Hora from scoring - a converted try was all they needed to win the final.
Coach Rick Caulfield was proud of his side's resolve to keep the opposition out.
"For about the last 15 minutes we played in our own 22. Hora Hora would have a lineout and get a rolling maul on which we would ruck against it and Jared Going would kick it clear," he said.
"Then we would be working towards their half and a penalty would ensue and the Hora Hora fullback [Joe Te Puni] would kick it down the field again."
Hora Hora were first to put points on the board with Te Puni kicking a penalty but Mid Northern fought back and sent Luke Goodin across the line for a try, converted by Going.
Just before halftime, the Hora Hora fullback broke through the defensive line to pass the ball to Logan Wendt, sending the visitors into the lead, 7-8.
Twenty-five minutes into the second spell, Mid Northern swung the ball out to second five-eighth Freddy Morgan, who crossed the line for the hosts' second try.
Going's successful conversion took them out to a 14-8 lead which they were not going to let go of, despite playing the rest of the game in their half.
"Everyone was stoked," Caulfield said.
Hora Hora coach Doug Te Puni was understandably gutted with the result but gave deserved credit to Mid Northern.
"Mid Northern played to win and played with passion - and so did we - but they were the better team on the day, capitalising on our mistakes," he said.
"We had a lot of old heads come back to the club this year and it was a bit of a kick in the guts but we'll be back next year ... we have unfinished business."
