Pukekohe celebrated their 70th season by winning their first McNamara Cup since 2011 when they held off Ardmore Marist 24-22 in a thrilling final at Navigation Homes Stadium on Saturday.
On a stunning winter’s day and in front of a large crowd, the two best sides in the competition played out an outstanding final.
Ardmore Marist opened the scoring with a brilliant length of the field try that set the tone for the afternoon.
Up by six early in the second half, Pukekohe spend the majority of the second spell camped on their own line defending, and held the top seeds out until there was five minutes to go.
Simon-Peter Toleafoa calmly kicked a conversion from out wide to put Ardmore Marist in front before Pukekohe responded with a long-range penalty moments later, through the boot of Josiah Unga.
They then defended one last push to claim their seventh title.
“It is pretty surreal to be fair. Just so proud of the boys. We talked all week about going 80 minutes,” coach Michael Porter told Counties Sports Hub.
“The last couple of weeks we have done a lot of work on our defense.
“We were here last year and didn’t quite get the treats – they say you have to lose one to win one and I remember saying that to the boys last year.
“Proud of the boys – a lot of the boys have been through heartache – proud of the club and our community.”
Karaka claimed a fourth straight Bob Chandler Cup Premier 2 crown as they beat Pukekohe 33-17 in the curtain-raiser.
Defending champions Te Kauwhata booked their spot in the Sid Marshall Shield final with a 43-23 win over Maramarua in the semi-finals while Onehwero secured the other berth on the back of a 35-22 win over Manurewa.
Te Kohanga will Karaka in the final of the Sid Marshall Cup bracket after Te Kohanga defeated Puni 40-28 and Karaka outlasted Pukekohe 33-27.
Karaka topped Pukekohe 29-12 in the final round of the U85 Cup while Waiuku drew with Morrinsville 27-27.
Hamilton Marist proved too good for Bombay 56-17 while Drury went down to Fraser Tech 24-15.
