Rangataua keep title with last-gasp try | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua

A try on full time by Rangataua's Mitchell Cunningham meant the club made history with back-to-back wins of the Mount Sevens.

In a thrilling final, played out in perfect conditions at Blake Park, Rangataua were too methodical for Massey, beating them 17-12. It is the first time in the competition's 20-year history a team have won the event two years in a row.

Originally, the champions were not even entered into the competition but thanks to a last-minute withdrawal the team sneaked in the backdoor to steal the show.

Rangataua coach Jason Hona said he was impressed with the team's composure throughout the competition.

"Not too bad for a 20-minute training session this morning. The guys are just familiar with the way Rangataua play sevens. It's not really about the flash moves and stuff and things like that.

"We just express ourselves the way we want to do it and the guys just fit in around it."

Right from Rangataua's kick-off the team looked to keep a solid defensive line and play mistake-free rugby. With Massey constantly on attack in the first half, Rangataua had little choice but to make tackle after tackle. But it appeared to have an effect on Massey who became frustrated and began to make mistakes.

It was enough to lift the defending champions who pounced on a dropped ball and looked to spread it from side to side. Nathaniel Walter was devastating at broken play, splitting the Massey defence. He threw a floating wide ball which fell into the hands of Jack Wilson who simply drew in the last defender to give New Zealand sevens star import Lote Raikabula an easy run into the corner to open the scoring after five minutes. His team-mate Chris Van der Heyden could not convert the try.

The game ebbed and flowed for the next couple of minutes as both teams looked to use possession but were unable to find a way through.

Massey were the next to score a minute before the half when Anthony Matoto snaffled the ball from a Rangataua maul and raced 7m to touch down.

Ray Niuia was unsuccessful with the conversion and the two sides went into the break 5-5.

After halftime, Rangataua looked to have the ascendancy with Walter again causing havoc at broken play and on several occasions looking as if he might go all the way.

But it was Quentin Gardiner who got Rangataua's second try at the five-minute mark which was converted by Van der Heyden to put them ahead 12-5.

Massey were to reply straight from the re-start when Rangataua were penalised for not making the 10m mark from the kick. A quick tap caught the champions off guard and Tevita Li went the 50m to score under the post and for Jason Brown to level the scores with the conversion.

With time almost up on the clock and the final poised to go into extra time, Rangataua started to pass the ball around looking for a gap. It eventually came from some slick passing and Cunningham latched on to the end pass to score in the corner.

Scorers:

Rangataua 17 (Lote Raikabula, Quentin Gardiner, Mitchell Cunningham, tries; Curtis Van der Heyden, 1 con) Massey 12 (Anthony Matoto, Tevita Li, tries; Jason Brown, 1 con) Halftime: 5-5

Results:

Plate final: Auckland University 19 Eden 7.

Bowl final: Te Kauwhata 21 Hamilton Old Boys 14.

Special Plate: Mount Maunganui 24 Rangiuru 10.