Captain Marty McKenzie said the result could easily have gone the other way, but he was proud his team climbed out of a hole in the second half and found a way to win.
Coach Richard Jones was equally proud of Woodlands’ effort.
"We have got a good team, but we put in the work," Jones said.
"The Hawks put pressure on us and we went away from what we’ve done well, but finals players like Cabbage (Jason Rutledge) knew what we had to do to win."
McKenzie, who did well to stay on the field after some heavy collisions, led the side admirably, Jones said.
Pirates Old Boys Hawks were confident of an upset and had a large crowd of supporters.
The Hawks made a great start, as hooker Tale Tuapati had the lineout operating at its usual high standard. The scrum was holding up well and their loosies, led by No 8 Hayden Hegarty, were winning the breakdown.
The accuracy of halfback Josh Murrell’s passing and Greg Dyer's punting were impressive during the first 15 minutes.
Woodlands fullback Kieran Lee opened the scoring when he barged over just inside the corner flag. McKenzie knocked the conversion over from the terrace side, and added a penalty soon after.
Hawks centre Isaac Te Tamaki got his team on the board when he side-stepped his way to the line for a converted try. Dyer made a nice line-break soon after, which led to a penalty to lock up the scores.
Woodlands had a profitable five minutes before halftime; a McKenzie penalty goal was followed up by a big Charles Alaimalo run that led to Woodlands right wing Drew Carter scoring just inside the flag, and McKenzie’s conversion made for a 20-10 lead.
After the break the Hawks’ openside, Ben Keenan, was brought down just before the line and halfback Josh Murrell snuck over for a converted try. A deliberate knock down in front of the posts by Jason Rutledge meant he was off to the sin-bin and Dyer landed the penalty goal.
When Stags No8 Alaimalo was called off the field after 55 minutes the rowdy Hawks supporters gained further confidence. Hawks tighthead Riki Gage soon joined Rutledge in the bin after a minor scuffle, but the Hawks did not suffer as their slick backline put it through the hands for the impressive fullback Materua Tupou to score in the corner. The conversion had the Hawks in front 27-20 with 20 minutes remaining.
McKenzie narrowed the gap with a penalty goal and with five minutes remaining, Kieran Lee stood up his opponent for what would be the match-winning try. McKenzie missed the conversion to leave Woodlands in front by one point.
In the last three minutes, replacement forward Michael Gellatly and lock Matt James made a couple of big plays for Woodlands. Pirates had one last chance after earning a turnover penalty just out of kicking range, Dyer punted for territory but after a messy lineout win Woodlands claimed the ball and kicked it out.
Lee, the architect of last year’s shield win, had a quieter role this year at fullback but still managed to score two important tries.
"He is dependable and a clutch player that would excel at the next level," Jones said.
Another player Jones mentioned was No8 Alaimalo.
"Charles put in some important defensive shots that gave the boys a lift. He can’t be far off a Super Rugby gig."
All three games between Woodlands and Pirates Old Boys this season were decided by one point.
Co-coach Ben McHugh lamented a couple of key moments that just did not fall Pirates’ way.
Edendale claimed the division one Ack Soper Shield title with a 35-34 win over Wyndham at Les George Oval.
Galbraith Shield final
The scores
Woodlands 28
Kieran Lee 2, Drew Carter tries; Marty McKenzie 2 con, 3 pen
Pirates Old Boys 27
Isaac Te Tamaki, Josh Murrell, Materua Tupou tries; Greg Dyer 3 con, 2 pen
Halftime: Woodlands 20-10.
-- John Langford
