Pikiao celebrate after scoring their last-minute try to win the 2014 Bay of Plenty District premier grand final on Saturday. PHOTOS/STEPHEN PARKER
Big games call for big performers.
And you won't find many bigger or better than Pikiao halfback Te Kaiaotea "Bully" Tahuriorangi.
Tahuriorangi grabbed the Bay of Plenty District grand final by the scruff of the neck on Saturday to help his team defeat Pacific 30-26 at Puketawhero Park.
Pikiao had not won a premier title in 14 years going into the match and looked like they were destined to suffer another lose to rivals Pacific.
But Tahuriorangi and Pikiao did not give in.
Trailing by eight points with less than five minutes to go, veteran halfback Tahuriorangi threw caution to the wind.
Image 1 of 16: 170814sp10 Pikiao's Percy King. Pikiao versus Pacific league final at Puketawhero Park. Photo/Stephen Parker
He received the ball on half way, zigging and zagging his way into space before running 20m and chipping the ball behind the fullback.
The ball took a favourable bounce towards team-mate Percy King, who scooped it up and scored close to the posts. Rhys Hohepa converted but Pikiao were still down by two points with only a couple of minutes remaining.
To their credit, Pikiao worked their way into Pacific's red zone to give themselves a chance at victory.
Tahuriorangi took it on himself to trigger the winning play. He skipped across the Pacific defensive line before throwing a huge cut out pass to King on the left edge.
The pass gave King enough room to draw the last defender before passing to winger Hohepa who lunged for the corner to score.
Upwards of 1000 people watched as Pikiao stole victory from the jaws of defeat.
After the try, Tahuriorangi was carried from the field with concussion. Pacific had enough time to kick off, but it was Pikiao's day and they held on to win.
An elated Tahuriorangi said after the match he had been at the club for more than 10 years and it was the greatest feeling to finally win a premier title.
Pikiao coach Doug Unuwai admitted with five minutes to go he thought the game was done and dusted.
"I was thinking that was it, I really thought that was it," he said. "Pacific are a good team, they have been in the business for the last four or five years and they know how to put teams away."
He said when Hohepa scored the winning try the dugout simply erupted. "Words can not describe it. I'm just buzzing - for the team and for the people and the supporters.
"It has been a long time coming and I could not have had a better team than the one I had today."
He said Tahuriorangi was excellent during the match, scoring one try and playing a big part in the final two tries.
"His whole season has been good and he has been a staunch Pikiao player since day one." Tahuriorangi was awarded the man of the match award after the game.
In the reserve grade final, Reporoa won their first title since joining the reserve grade in 2011, defeating Pacific Reserves 50-16.
