Many considered the Ngongotahā Chiefs to be underdogs against the table-topping Mangakino Hawks on Saturday, but they clearly did not get the memo.
Ngongotahā produced a near-flawless performance to beat Mangakino 34-10 in the grand final at Puketawhero Park and claim the 2018 Bay of Plenty/Coastline Premier Rugby League title.
It was a heartbreaking result for a Mangakino side who had been the competition front-runners throughout but fell at the final hurdle.
The grand final day tone was set earlier when Tauhara Te Maunga and Taneatua played out a hard-fought reserve grade final, with Tauhara Te Maunga coming out 24-18 winners.
Image 1 of 16: Bay of Plenty/Coastline Premier Rugby League grand final between NgongotahāChiefs and Mangakino Hawks at Puketawhero Park. Ngongotahā players celebrate a try. Photo/Ben Fraser
In the Premier final, Mangakino started strongly, taking a 4-0 lead in the first five minutes through a try to winger Aaron Bell in the right-hand corner.
However, Ngongotahā hit straight back after a Mangakino knock-on in their own 20m.
They shifted the ball left early in the set and caught Mangakino napping as winger Karl Hart strolled over in the corner. The try was converted and Ngongotahā led 6-4.
Fifteen minutes into the game Ngongotahā were in again. On the back of a Mangakino error and a penalty, Matthew Filipo showed great strength to crash over from close range.
Ngongotahā Chiefs won the Bay of Plenty/Coastline Premier Rugby League grand final over Mangakino Hawks at Puketahwhero Park. Photo/Ben Fraser
Ngongotahā extended the lead to 16-4 through a try to Chris Hodgson in the 20th minute and there was a real feeling around Puketawhero that it could be their day.
When defending a lead, game management is crucial and Ngongotahā's playmakers were nailing that aspect of the game - kicking for the corners, pinning Mangakino down their own end or forcing repeat sets.
The pressure paid off when Max Redstone scored from close range to make it 20-4.
With minutes left before halftime, Mangakino looked to shift the ball from inside their own half, but it went to ground.
Ngongotahā's Hart was quickest to react, scooping up the loose ball and racing away to score his second try, under the posts. It was converted and Ngongotahā had a commanding 26-4 lead at the break.
While it was a handy lead, Mangakino were top of the table during the regular season for a reason and nobody was ruling out a comeback.
Both teams performed a stirring post game haka. Photo/Ben Fraser
However, it was Ngongotahā who added to their lead 10 minutes into the second half through a perfectly executed chip to the right wing from Destry Tamai.
Centre Aaron Waiapu leapt to tap the ball back, straight into the arms of Courtney Marster who dived over to make it 30-4.
Mangakino hit back with a try to front rower Roderick Boreham, who skittled defenders on his way to the line. The try was converted and the deficit reduced to 30-10.
Mangakino looked to get themselves back in the game through physicality, producing some monster hits in defence, but Ngongotahā took the wind out of their sails with a try to Joseph Nuku, sealing a memorable win.
"I thought it was a great performance, I knew we had it in us and that's what we've been searching for all year. At the end of the day there's one game that counts and it was today - you can take a loss or two during the season, as long as you know you can improve and do something like that today."
Nahu knows better than anyone how hard his players worked to get to this point.
"I'm a pretty grumpy coach and I have high expectations, they realise that and they've worked hard. I'm really, really happy for them," he said.
While bitterly disappointed, Mangakino captain Johnson Peri was gracious in defeat, saying he was proud of what his team had achieved this season.
"It was a good tough game, Ngongotahā just wanted it more I guess, they were the better team on the day. I'm definitely proud of this team, it's ben a wicked season for us.
