Bay of Plentycouldn't stop Counties Manukau going back-to-back in the second-tier Michael Jones Trophy at the Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under 19 tournament in Taupo.
Bay of Plenty went into the game seeking revenge for a 27-13 loss in the seeding game between the two sides in August, and had beaten North Harbour 39-31 and Hawkes Bay 31-8 on the way to the final. Counties Manukau had run in three tries to overcome Tasman 22-11 to secure their place.
The final score of 35-20 belied what was, for much of the 70 minutes of play, a close affair, with Bay of Plenty twice taking the lead during the second half.
Counties opened the scoring when no 8 Viliame Taulami broke a tackle inside his own 22 and showed extraordinary pace to score at the other end. Orbyn Leger converted.
Taulami was again causing problems for the Bay defence 12 minutes later, making the break that give his side the field position to pass the ball out to centre Salimoni Tukania who scored on the right.