Mid Canterbury claimed the overall symbol of Heartland Championship supremacy when they beat Thames Valley 21-18 in the Meads Cup final in Ashburton on Saturday.
It completed a perfect season for the Hammers, who won eight from eight in the regular season before pipping Wairarapa-Bush 21-19 in the semifinals.
Victory was also sweet revenge after being beaten by Thames Valley in last year’s final.
It was a third Meads Cup for Mid Canterbury after claiming back-to-back titles in 2013-14.
Mid Canterbury opened the scoring after 10 minutes when, after several team-mates had gained valuable metres, co-captain Declan McCormack reached out his long arms for the opening try.
Thames Valley spent some time on attack but found the home defence too staunch.
Quinn Collard kicked a couple of first-half penalties for the Swamp Foxes but Mid Canterbury took a 14-6 lead into halftime after a lovely move by the forwards on the left flank.
Former North Otago loose Seta Koroitamana found McCormack, who dished inside to McGregor Best, and the lock showed a turn of pace to the line.
Mid Canterbury took a commanding lead with their third try shortly after the break.
McCormack won the turnover, fullback Hugh Cameron broke the line, and on hand — as he so often is — was former Waitaki Boys’ High School and Otago halfback Kieran McClea for the try.
Thames Valley are made of tough stuff, however, and they scored two tries to close the gap to three points.
Mid Canterbury shut up shop and delivered some shuddering defence to hold on for victory.
Expect to see plenty of Mid Canterbury representation when the Heartland XV is named this week for a tour of Samoa next month.
Meads Cup final
The scores
Mid Canterbury 21
Declan McCormack, McGregor Best, Kieran McClea tries; Tom Reekie 3 con
Thames Valley 18
Logan Allen, Harry Lafituanai tries; Quinn Collard con, 2 pen
Halftime: Mid Canterbury 14-6.
