For all the Howlers supporters, and MSP too, the last few minutes of the championship decider in the WRU 80/80 grade can only be described as nervewracking. The vistors had run up a nil-10 lead in the first few minutes and the prospects for the home team looked unpromising. But a penalty goal, then a try in the clubhouse corner, see below, closed the gap to 8-10 at half-time. Two superb runaway tries early in the second half took the Howlers out to 20-10.

But the talkative visitors from Evans Bay fired themselves up to dot down again and convert with ten minutes left on the clock. Your webmaster could hear their confidence, they were sure with that much time left, it'd be in the bag.

That's when something special fired in the Howlers' bellies and attack after attack was snuffed out as the clock oh so slowly wound down. Then, at last, the final whistle, champions by 20 to 17. And signature signing rights on the clubhouse beams. Just a top-drawer effort. Player of the season, Hamish Bryan!

Earlier the Under 19s had blown away Rimutaka 45-12 to book a place in the final. The Senior Seconds will meet Wellington at Hataitai in next weekend's final, virtue of a great win over Old Boys University, 25-15. And the Presidents closed their campaign by journeying to the Petone Recreation Ground and despatching the Villagers 17-10. A grand season they'll all remember!

Here is a link to an open Facebook page of images from the Under 19s semifinal versus Rimutaka, and the Howlers championship victory over Marist St Pats:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2135330895101.2119676.1000922519#!/media/set/?set=a.2135330895101.2119676.1000922519&type=1