Karaka buried the ghosts of grand finals past as they stormed to their second McNamara Cup title on the back of a 21-13 win over Pukekohe in the competition decider at Navigation Homes Stadium on Saturday.
It completed a phenomenal season for the club as they backed up their triumph in the top grade with title wins in the Bob Chandler Premier 2 grade as well the Massey Cup U21 grade.
Pukekohe proved worthy finalists as they dominated the opening minutes and twice took the lead of the match through the boot of first-five Blair Butchart.
But Karaka hit the lead in the latter part of the first half and never looked like relinquishing it.
“I guess the first one is the first one, but the second one is the second one,” an emotional Karaka coach Craig Hill said.
“It has been well publicised how many we have been to and lost. The teams that have been there lost and won know how hard they are to win.
“Some of the defence – we haven’t defended like that all season. The boys showed big heart, kept coming off the line and smacking them – a lot of ticker there.”
The Karaka Premier 2 side completed the perfect season as they fought back from 13-0 down to win 47-13.
Pukekohe dominated the first 40 minutes but conceded a try on the stroke of halftime and that was the opening of the floodgates as Karaka quickly took control of the game in the second half and powered to a comfortable victory.
Top seeds Te Kauwhata edged Maramarua 15-11 in a tight semi-final in the Sid Marshall Shield to secure a place in next week’s final.
They will face defending champions Onewhero, who overcame Weymouth 21-19 in the second semi-final.
Manurewa grabbed a spot in the Bright Cup U19 final after they edged Rua North 10-8 in a thrilling semi-final while Patumahoe went down to Auckland’s College Rifles 83-14 in the other semi.
