Grammar TEC has put the exclamation mark on a tremendous undefeated Under 20s season with a tightly contested 32-18 victory in the final against Pakuranga at Eden Park.

Coached by Bruce Birtwistle, Ant Strachan and Karl Pokino, Grammar TEC had to weather some serious heat from Pakuranga for most of the clash before a final flourish ensured it clinched the ARU Challenge Cup.

After an early penalty goal by halfback Thomas Strachan, son of Ant and fresh out of the Auckland Grammar School First XV, Grammar TEC found itself on the back foot, over-ambitious with the slippery ball and ceding to a Pakuranga pack that was commanding lineout ball via captain Carter Hackett and industrious locks Bailey Larsen and Brodie Jennings. Larsen it was who crossed in the corner off some sweet short side passing. When left wing Simon Fauoo scored, showing good skills to control the ball after a wicked bounce for the Grammar TEC defender, Pakuranga was 15-3 to the good and firmly with the initiative. On the debit side, first five Michaile van Wyk and flanker Max Jones were both carted off the field with concussion.

A vital moment occurred in the dying throes of the first stanza. Pakuranga kicked the ball to touch and switched off, thinking the halftime whistle was about to be blown. But referee Maggie Cogger-Orr, the sole judge of time, ruled a lineout. Three phases later, Grammar TEC second five Nua Soti was spearing through for his side’s first try.

It was just the fillip the favourites needed. Using hefty props Kaynan Siteine-Tua and Zac Martin to rumble over the gain line, Grammar TEC hauled itself back into the contest. A solid scrum, an 8-9-14 move and wing Sioeli Fangupo was over in the corner after a fine long pass off his left hand by Strachan.

Fullback Jack Gray, useful all day, scored to give Grammar TEC its first lead since the early exchanges. Despite the sinbinning of hooker Angus Campbell, it was a lead and initiative they were never to relinquish. Replacement Aratz de Goicoechea, one of three Auckland Rugby International Academy players in the squad, capitalised on a storming run by Siteine-Tua to blow the margin out to 14. It might have been slightly flattering, but in the final analysis Grammar TEC was the better team.

Auckland Rugby President Bruce Gemmell, a Grammar man, would have been chuffed as he presented the silverware to No 8 and skipper Jared Matauiau.

It was a family affair for Pakuranga, with right wing Ben Anderson joined by his father Mike Anderson, the coach, and Frank Anderson, the assistant manager.

Grammar TEC U20 32 (Nua Soti, Sioeli Fangupo, Jack Gray, Aratz de Goicoechea tries; Thomas Strachan 2 con, pen, Matt Wulff con, pen) Pakuranga U20 18 (Bailey Larsen, Simon Fauoo tries; Armani Wright con, 2 pen) HT: 15-8 Pakuranga

By Campbell Burnes