Kaiapoi secure back-to-back titles

Following their breakthrough success in 2021, Kaiapoi backed it up with a 14-6 win over Hurunui to be crowned the 2022 North Canterbury champions.

In an enthralling encounter at Mandeville, Kaiapoi managed to control the territory and possession for most of the match, forcing the Hogs to continuously exit their own half in wet conditions.

Trading penalties to begin the match, Kaiapoi led 6-3 when dotting over to score the games first try after 20 minutes, extending their lead to 11-3.

It wasn’t long after that the rain started, as the game turned into an arm wrestle, with a penalty apiece taking the match to it’s final score of 14-6.

In the dying moments of the game, Hurunui continued to assault the Kaiapoi line, but resolute defending and a number of errors stopped any last ditch efforts to overturn the scoreline, with Frank Soli and his men deserved winners on a day that proved a great advertisement for North Canterbury rugby.