It’s been a season to remember for the Ōpōtiki premier men’s rugby team.

They have been a class above their opponents for most of the season and have played some outstanding rugby.

So much so that they won Saturday’s EBOP premier men’s final against Paroa at Rugby Park, 79-13.

Unfortunately for Paroa, a red card forced them to play most of the game with a player down, seriously limiting any chance they had, although Ōpōtiki were too strong on the day.

It was still a fantastic season by Paroa and one of which they can be proud.

On their way to the title, Ōpōtiki ran in an impressive 12 tries with Tamarau Karepa, Luke Morris, Andre Biddle and Creed Edwards powering their way over for two tries each.

Ōpōtiki coach Tuterangi Te Moana, who was assisted by cousin David Te Moana, said it was awesome to win the competition.

“We’re stoked to win the final. I think that what we have given the boys this season has set a good platform for them to play with confidence. The team culture we’ve been focusing on, I think has allowed them to trust each other a lot more and become more confident in their own roles.

“Credit to the boys for putting in immense individual work off the field as well. It’s something we’re really proud of as coaches and it shows in the way they play the game.”

Ōpōtiki won 11 straight games heading into the final, with their only defeat coming against Paroa in the first round, when teams were still settling into their style of play.  

“At the start, it looked as if it was going to be a long battle, typical of most finals. We were confident that we would get the job done, but I don’t think any of us were expecting the score to end up the way it did.

“To be fair, Paroa did have a couple of early setbacks, which only benefitted us. It was good to see that we played the way we’ve been playing all season, and the consistent performances have given us coaches confidence for the future.”

He said the key to victory was what they’d preached all season – good team culture.

“I think what was key for us to win was a mixture of all the things that we worked on this season. The trust and confidence mixed with the work rate really allowed things to flow for us. It’s been five years, I believe, since we’ve won a title and there’ve been many heartbreaks in between, so of course I’m stoked for the team and the club, also.”

Te Moana hopes many of the players will be back next year to not only defend their title but keep the culture going at the club.

Ōpōtiki had several standouts in the final including Morris, Mana Howe, try-scoring machine Braeden Elmiger, who would have racked up close to 30 tries this season, Te Awaitaia Rolls, Arlen Newton, Tane Howe and Kalin Elmiger. In fact, the entire squad shone at different times during the season.

Ōpōtiki’s Morris said it was a good win for the community.

“It means everything to everyone from our town.”

In the development final, Ōpōtiki were going for four straight titles but they fell short this year as Paroa B took the spoils, 26-19.

It was a cracking game but the boot of Paroa B second five eighth Luke Hendriksen proved the difference as he nailed three penalty goals and two conversions.

Gene Wharewera also scored a crucial try, as did Jacob Wera-Cook, while Ōpōtiki’s points came from three tries and two conversions.

Ōpōtiki player-coach Kevin Waterson said his team gave it plenty out on the field.

“We started strong and Paroa finished stronger. The difference was always going to be who worked their impact players the best and Paroa came out on top with a solid second-half display.”

“We had plenty of opportunities after a great start, but it comes down to who makes the least mistakes and who puts in the hardest grind to get you through finals footy.

“I’m always proud of my boys no matter the result, especially all of our young under 20s coming through who all made massive impacts on the game in attack and defence.

“We held the torch for three years straight, but every dog has its day, and, as they say, ‘you can’t win ‘em all’.”

He is incredibly proud of his team and their efforts during the season.

“We couldn’t have asked for more from our team than giving it everything we got on the day.

We’re proud of our silverware.”

In the senior reserve final, some quick thinking from halfback Matt Brown led to a 79th minute try to Matatā winger Matt Sweeney that saw the crowd erupt as they picked up a 24-19 victory.

The score was tied as Brown’s long pass found Marino Playle, who side-stepped several defenders and threw a cracking pass for Sweeney, who dived over to score the second of his two tries.

Matatā captain Louis Playle was proud of his team and the fight they showed throughout.

“On top of the world – proud of our brothers, proud of our support. At the start of the game, it was loud-as for Waimana, and as time went on the black and white started coming out.”

Matatā coach George Playle said it was an entertaining game of rugby.

“Such a great feeling to win like that; hard to describe, really. Also, along with the atmosphere and how we played – I couldn’t be prouder of the team and all involved.”

Matatā went into the final as underdogs and that suited them.

“We came in knowing that all the pressure was on Waimana. They had gone unbeaten all season, so it was up to them to see if they could go one more.”

Playle was full of praise for his team and the way they played.

“We also came in with a game plan to win and not just leave it to chance, and the team executed it very well.”

Waimana’s Arepa Te Pou said his team did him proud, despite the result.

“We went out there and did our best today. We’re rebuilding our club. We didn’t have a team last year. This year we managed to come together for the community, and we made it all the way here to the finals.”

One disappointing element was that the Eastern Bay’s top referee, Jaco Brouwer, had to referee the development final, when he should have taken control of the main game with two other Eastern Bay referees doing the other two finals.

However, out-of-town referees got the nod.

When Eastern Bay referees do not have the opportunity to referee Central or Western Bay of Plenty finals, it is disappointing out-of-town referees are given the nod over Eastern Bay referees.

It meant very few hometown referees were involved for the finals of the competitions they had refereed all season.

There were also no medals for the Waimana and Matatā winners, another disappointing element.