The town was still ``buzzing'' yesterday after Saturday's 21-18 win against Maniototo, Cromwell rugby president Jason Clark said.
``It's been a long time coming - 35 years- so it's a big deal and it gives the younger players something to look up to and to take pride in.''
A haka performed after the final, by 10 to 15 of the club's under-11 grade players on their way home from a seven-a-side tournament at Millers Flat, moved players and supporters to tears, Clark said.
``We've had the epic celebrations to match the game and now we have to regroup and focus on this Saturday's game against Clutha.''
It would be a close match, he predicted.
North Otago lost its second game on its tour of western Canada when a strong Alberta Prairie Wolf Pack side, which contained four internationals, took the very physical forward game 22-12.
Dan Towler and Ralph Darling scored the tries for North Otago in an intense game.
North Otago will play its final game against British Columbia at Lake Burnaby later this week and will arrive back in Oamaru on August 14.
