Tikipunga Football Club were toasting their second major success in as many weeks after winning the Federation Cup following a nail-biting win over Kerikeri.
Kerikeri proved a tougher obstacle on Saturday at Kamo than Central Brown did in last week's Stafford Choat Final. It took more than 120 minutes offootball and a penalty shootout to separate the two teams after the scores were level 1-1 after normal time and extra time.
"We're pretty rapt with the win, it was a really tough final in contrast to last week, which was enjoyable to watch as a coach, whereas this one was a bit of a grinder to be honest," Tikipunga coach Clive Adams said.
Tikipunga started well and were ahead after 15 minutes with Steve Crowley converting one of their early chances. They continued to have the best of the spell and when the Kerikeri keeper collided with Mark Ruddle, Adams thought they would double their lead.
"I was amazed that the penalty wasn't given, in the end I think it was a turning point in the game. If we had doubled our lead then I think it would have changed the nature of the whole game," he said.
Instead, Kerikeri began to edge their way back into the game and by halftime had several chances to equalise.
It was a disastrous restart for Tikipunga. A pass from the kick-off to the right back was squared and then the centre back was dispossessed by Timo Obrez, who levelled the scores.
The shootout was also close with only one miss by Kerikeri allowing Crowley the opportunity to win the title on the last penalty - something the skipper made no mistake with.
Kerikeri coach Jim Brooks vowed they would be back again next season.
"It brought back a large amount of deja vu for us after we went down to Oratia two years ago in the Federation Cup final ... so I suppose it'll be third time lucky for us," he said.
