Rugby Final Waikohu vs YMP

“HISTORY makers”. One of many Waikohu banners at a packed Rugby Park said it all as the men from Te Karaka lifted the Lee Bros Shield for the first time with a 40-26 win against YMP in the Poverty
Bay premier club rugby grand final on Saturday. “It’s coming home to TK,” was the triumphant shout of one Waikohu supporter as he watched inspirational skipper Geoff Pari add the coveted shield to their first-round and secondround cups. “We’ll have to build bigger clubrooms next year,” another fan said. Pari got caught up in the excitement. “You’re all invited back to our place tonight for a party,” said the hooker, who fought his way back from a serious leg injury that ruled him out of the first round and some of the second. Beaming fullback Ethine Reeves said it was one of the happiest days of his life. “I couldn’t be prouder and this makes up for losing the past two finals,” he said. “Lynden (Manuel), James (Rutene)
and I lost with Waikohu last year and we all lost the year before with OBM. We said we wouldn’t lose three in a row.” The pain and tears that followed last year’s defeat were replaced by smiles, hugs and singing after a final that had everything, including a sensational 18-minute second-half spell when Waikohu scored four tries and a penalty to go from 13-9 in front to 40-9. YMP, staring down the barrel of a hiding, added respectability to the score with tries to No.8 Mekepio Brown, winger Jayden Milner and centre Whaimotu Craft-Chemis, the try of the match, a magnificent solo effort two minutes from fulltime. But it was all too little, too late. The spectators, who packed the grandstand and filled the banks, were
treated to two stirring pre-match haka. GT Shearing Waikohu, led by Pari, were first as they had been in last week’s semifinal against OBM. On that occasion there was no response, but East Coast Farm Vets YMP were never going to let that happen. Following the emotionally charged Waikohu haka, YMP responded.

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Go Waikohu