Fairytale continues for Wainuiomata in Hardham Cup Final

Wainuiomata were rewarded for a passionate display in front of a legion of green and black fans at Westpac Stadium on Sunday. But victorious Wainui player and coach Earl Va'a summed up a pleasing end to a great season.

"It's no Jubilee Cup, but it is a trophy in the cabinet," said Va'a before he hoisted the cup.

His team-mates took the plaudits for what was a tough encounter with Ories - the front-runners of the Hardham Cup season. First five eighth Va'a had a massive impact on the game, putting the final nail in Ories coffin with a successful penalty kick on full-time. He also had the first say in the match by breaking out from inside his own 22 metre line before handing on to support. The movement broke down when impressive left wing Lewis Marshall was forced out five metres from Ories line. But stolen line-out ball led to a try as halfback Corey draper ferreted over next to the posts.

Soon after the restart, Wainui prop Semisi Taleni's tackle caused a turnover and centre Feterika Sage broke free passing to number eight Daniel Olive for a 14 point lead inside ten minutes. Ories struggled for cohesion and lacked some attacking direction, but Karl Harding put them on the board with a penalty goal from thirty metres.

Wainui responded with more red-zone pressure and fullback Uale Mai's injection into the backline took a quality cover tackle from his opposite Fa'avae Tuma'ai. Ories may have been fortunate that a penalty and three points for Va'a was the net result. Ories forwards made the most of this fortune by rumbling towards the Wainui line and, after several line-out drives and pick-and-go phases, pushed tighthead prop Donal McNamara across the chalk for a half-time score of 17-10.

Two more penalties from Va'a followed but Ories kept in touch with a rare, but classy, set-piece backline move. From a steady scrum, Karl Harding doubled around the second five eighths and found right wing Saint Misa who stood up the Wainui midfield and fed to Jona Tuitoga. Tuitoga finally got to stretch his legs and his devastating pace left three defenders sprawling on the way to the right hand corner. Harding converted from wide out.

Halfback Johnny Sola then almost made it a one point game, but was penalised for what amounted to a double movement.

With the sun on their backs and playing the percentages well, Wainui closed out the match and tasted the sweet celebrations that eluded them at Westpac Stadium twelve months ago. As top qualifiers, Ories will find the defeat hard to swallow, but both clubs will be hoping to go one better and make the Jubilee cut next year.