RUGBY LEAGUE
Hikurangi Stags 32 Moerewa Tigers 18 (ht 16-4): No fairy-tale ending to the Moerewa Tigers's title aspirations, going down under a relentless barrage from the Hikurangi Stags in the Whangarei City and Districts senior league grand final at Toll Stadium on Saturday.
The game was virtually all over within two minutes of the kick-off when non-existent defence allowed Innocent Tuimavave Mau to cross the line for the first of three tries he scored on the day. From this point on, the defending premiers were never to be denied and they outdid their opposition in all areas for the rest of the game on the way to the title. Another Hikurangi try was scored by player coach Joe Rau, a conversion was kicked by Jack Walker while also notable was Koro Manawaiti.
Tigers standouts included try scorers Anaru Thompson with two and Herewini McGregor; along with Jayden Bently-Hape with a conversion, Kiel Davis, and Alex Wiki off the bench.
The Tigers couldn't be too despondent afterwards, having given their best against the form team in the competition this year. The Bay club wound down another long and competitive season back home throughout the remainder of the weekend.