Tasman fall at final hurdle

The Tasman Mako had their quest for a hat-trick of NPC premiership titles dashed by a pumped-up Waikato side in Hamilton this evening.

Tasman fell agonisingly short in a cut-and-thrust final, going down 23-20.

It began with a fairytale season, an unbeaten run to an inaugural premiership title in 2019. The Mako followed this up with a gritty effort against a highly-favoured Auckland side to go back-to-back last season. However, a third consecutive crown has eluded a side depleted by injury and players on All Blacks duty.

Despite their narrow defeat tonight, the Mako can be justly proud of their season.

Written off by many after being soundly defeated in the Ranfurly Shield challenge and only just scraping into the playoffs, the Mako peaked at the perfect time, producing two near-flawless performances against Wellington and Hawke's Bay before falling to the Mooloos.

D'Angelo Leuila kicked off the scoring in tonight's final as Hamilton put on a stunning evening for the crescendo of the provincial season.

Tasman claimed the lead approaching the half hour mark, Regan Ware finishing off a brilliant break by halfback Louie Chapman.

Just as Tasman appeared to be asserting control, speedster Bailyn Sullivan turned the tide in a flash as he latched onto a poor pass to streak away for Waikato's first try.

Mitch Hunt evened the scoreline before Leuila put the hosts back in front at halftime with a penalty after the siren.

Almost immediately after Hunt squared it up again, before Sullivan struck for a second time, another intercept putting Waikato ahead 20-13.

Quentin MacDonald entered the fray in the 51st minute to register his 100th cap for Tasman while Levi Aumua made a massive impact off the pine.

The hulking centre made two surging breaks within minutes of getting on the field, his second setting up Quin Strange to score and re-establish the stalemate with 10 to play.

Replacement first five Fletcher Smith then kicked the crucial points that would end up separating the two gallant teams, the win breaking a 15-year title drought for Waikato.

Scorers:

Tasman 20 (Ware, Strange tries, Hunt 2 con, 2 pen) Waikato 23 (Sullivan 2 tries, Leuila 2 con, 2 pen, Smith 1 pen). HT: 13-10 Waikato.