Crescent began well and attacked from the start. It mounted phase after phase inside the Clutha 22 but could not score the try that could have changed the game from the start. Crescent lost abrasive flanker Carlin Wihongi to a serious knee injury inside the first five minutes, which cost it momentum.
Clutha gained possession and scored through halfback Ollie Kenny. Both pivots kicked intelligently to turn the opposition around, but Clutha sparked more from the back on returns.
The home side scored its second try through centre Sylvester Reeves after some nice build-up play. Clutha fullback Zak Thoms added a penalty and conversion to give his side a 15-6 lead at the break. Crescent's points came from two penalties to Chase Owen.
Crescent started the second half well and was rewarded with a try to replacement winger Nico Burgess, who crossed in the corner.
Clutha replied swiftly through fullback Thoms, who weaved his way through the Crescent backline to score. The seesaw style of play continued, as Crescent was next to score through replacement lock Brendon Jury before Clutha juggernaut Dan Groen bashed his way over shortly after.
Crescent then replied once more through centre Ethan Edwards as the game started to open up. Crescent needed to score next to close the gap but it was Clutha who scored what would be the match-winning try through lock Todd Holgate, which moved the score to 34-23. Crescent fought hard and did not give up. The side scored on the final whistle to close the gap further, but ran out of time.
Both sides played extremely well and showed why they contested their third final together in a row. Clutha was more clinical at key times but also made plenty of metres in broken play. The Clutha forward pack stood up. Holgate, flanker Connor Mills and No8 Simon Grant all had huge games. Halfback Ollie Kenny and centre Sylvester Reeves were the best in the backs.
Crescent was gallant in defeat. It threw everything at Clutha and at times was unstoppable. Its forwards got great go-forward but a couple of key errors out wide in the attacking third let it down. Nonetheless, the side deserved its place in the final and did itself proud.
Prop Lester Papali'i was a one-man wrecking ball for Crescent. He never stopped and made metres every time he got the ball. The halves combo of Josh Cook and Harley McHardy was industrious and dangerous at times. Crescent received a huge boost from the bench with the introduction of Brendon Jury, Logan Mackie and Kurt Allan, who all played well.
Clutha will travel to Arrowtown next weekend to take on the Bulls in what will be a great match. Clutha is looking for its fifth Countrywide title in as many years.
In the curtain-raiser, Clutha Valley withstood a late charge from Toko to take the Balclutha Nissan Trophy 31-30.
- Francis Parker