Te Kauwhata held on despite a late Onewhero onslaught to win a gripping Sid Marshall Shield final 24-23 at Navigation Homes Stadium on Saturday.
The top seeds scored early and maintained a lead throughout the contest but were never clear of a gallant Onewhero side that had won the two meetings between the clubs in 2025.
With a one-point advantage and time ticking down on the clock, Te Kauwhata managed to hold possession until the siren sounded and calmly kick the ball to touch and celebrate a famous win.
Defending champions Onewhero had their chances but weren’t quite able to convert and came up agonisingly close.
Manurewa were unable to upset runaway competition leaders College Rifles in the Bright Cup, going down in the final 38-15 in the earlier game at Navigation Homes Stadium.
Manurewa asked some questions but weren’t quite as polished as their Auckland rivals and had to settle for being runners-up.
Puni will face Waiuku in the final of the Sid Marshall Cup competition after the two sides won their semi-finals in convincing fashion.
Puni were never troubled by Te Kohanga as they ran out 39-5 winners at Puni, while Waiuku upstaged Manurewa 26-12 at Mountfort Park.
