Hautapu dreamed to believe – and at one point midway in the second half it looked possible – but in the end the unbeaten Hamilton Marist premier rugby team was simply too good.
The green and whites won the Breweries Shield Waikato premiership title beating the defending champion Cambridge club 22-8 on the club’s new artificial turf at Marist Park in Hamilton on Saturday.
Elsewhere other Waipā teams had mixed fortunes.
Kihikihi Stallions remain top in the President’s grade following their 24-14 away win over second-placed Melville with Pirongia in third after its 17-0 win over Leamington.
In the division one Mooloo Shield, Suburbs beat Leamington 16-12 at Flagstaff Park and Ōhaupō edged Hinuera 7-5 at home while it was a great day out at Pirongia Domain with the home team thrashing Kereone 79-0 in division one Championship and 31-7 in the division one B Championship curtain raiser.
Ōtorohanga lost the Premiership B Rowe Cup final 40-31 against Hamilton Old Boys.
Waikato club rugby results:
Premier: Hamilton Marist 22 (Liam Gilheany-Black, Mason Tupaea, penalty try, Fletcher Morgan penalty, conversion) Hautapu 8 (David Morris try, Quintony Ngatai pen) Halftime 19-3.
Premiership B Rowe Cup: Hamilton Old Boys 40 Ōtorohanga 31.
Div 1 – Mooloo Shield: Suburbs 16 Leamington 12, Ōhaupō 7 Hinuera 5; Championship: Pirongia 79 Kereone 0; Div 1 A: Ōhaupō 7 Hinuera 5. Div 1 B: Suburbs 10 Leamington 20, Ōhaupō 7 Hinuera 27, Pirongia 31 Kereone 7.
Presidents: Pirongia 17 Leamington 0, Melville 14 Kihikihi 24.
Hautapu was unable to back up its success in the Breweries Shield premiership against unbeaten Marist in Hamilton on Saturday. Photo: Jane Thompson.
