Match #1 – Maoris defeat Metropolis 12-10

Maoris got off on the right foot with a big interception, but were unable to cross the line.  However they did regather the ball, and Luke Thomas passed wide to Cody who screamed down the sideline for the opening try.    The second half saw Metropolis work their way back into the game scoring two unconverted tries, and their stout defense was stymieing the Maoris attacking flair.  Then Griffin McGuire decided to take the game in hand, breaking through two would be tacklers and side stepping a third to score under the posts to set up a go ahead conversion by Cody Crawford to win the game.

Match #2 – Maoris defeat WRC 17-7

The day was heating up, and so were the Maoris.  In a game that pitted the out-numbered Maoris against the big men from Madison, who could rotate on and off the field Hockey style, it would be flair and pace that won the day.  Wisconsin opened the scoring, but were kept off the ball for most of the rest of the match.  The Maoris showed great patience and continuity, controlling the ball and keeping it out of the hands of the rumbling cheese heads.  The Maoris first opportunity came when, fearful of the devastating speed of Gil Hildebrand, Wisconsin overcommitted leaving a gap up the middle that Dave Henne Exploited for a try.  Cody Crawford sealed the game with an individual effort that featured his typical cheeky sidestepping and dummying flair.

Match #3 – Maoris defeat Metropolis 26-19

The Final was a game where all the great attacking ingenuity of the Maoris was on display, including a memorable piece of individual brilliance by Nelson.   They heat and previous games had left the Maoris down to only 7 for the final, which meant they would be starting their reserve, the big second rower, Nelson.  The Maoris stout defense and cohesive attack helped to build an early lead, however the moment of the match was when the Nelson got the ball in space, most would have expected the big man to rumble forward and set a ruck, as tight fivers are apt to do, but most would be wrong.  Instead Nelson shaped to kick and as the stunned shift in anticipation pulled the ball back to hand, possibly the most impressive dummy kick this observer had seen in years.  Having broken through the line Nelson was not done, with the defenders catching him from behind, he shifted the ball wide to Gil, who screaming down the touch line “Barry Sandersed” two defenders trying to scramble to a tackle, and scored under the posts.  Although the Maoris would give up some late points due to exhaustion with no subs available, the early lead held up and the Maoris went 3-0 and won their division.