Bayleys Otumoetai are back-to-back Midlands Intercity Hockey champions after accounting for front runners Thames Valley in an action-packed finals day at the weekend.

Hosted by Counties Manukau Hockey in Pukekohe on Saturday, the finals saw Thames Valley United see off Pukekohe Indians, and Otumoetai beat CMS Mount.

The Bayleys Otumoetai side after beating Thames Valley 4-1 in Pukekohe. Photo: Supplied.

With Otumoetai heading into the final as defending champions, and Thames Valley the second-ranked side, the final lived up to its exciting billing.

Starting with structured hockey from both sides, Otumoetai opened the scoring after 17 minutes with a goal from Denym Clarke. Shortly after that Valley United equalised.

With two minutes to go before half time, Toby Harris put Otumoetai back into the lead with the defining moment in the half being Geoff Williamson's save of a penalty corner drag flick to deny Valley United equalising.

Opting for an attacking game plan to begin the second half, Otumoetai's Hayden Bruin scored after eight minutes, taking the score to 3-1.

The side continued to dominate the midfield and with Valley United throwing caution to the wind to find those goals, action was backwards and forwards across the length of the field.

Otumoetai then lost their goalkeeper Williamson to a badly dislocated shoulder during another Valley United attack and a frantic all out goal mouth scramble.

With no reserve goalkeeper and 10 minutes to play, the umpires allowed time for a field player to get padded up – Tyler Bruin stepping up to the mark.

Defence then quickly turned into attack for Otumoetai, repelling a strong challenge to their circle to convert it into a 4-1 lead through Andrew Bigham.

Relieving the pressure with eight minutes to go, the side defended resolutely to keep the ball away from Bruin the stand in goalkeeper.

Bayleys Otumoetai coach Aaron Buchanan puts the winning result down to dedication and desire.

'We had some mixed results this year, but the team focus and goals remained solid – basically it was to make top four, win the semi and then put everything on the line for the final.

'The whole team was fantastic, I felt Cory Bruin and Geoff Williamson had an exceptional final”

In the Midlands Intercity Women's Final, defending champions Bayleys Otumoetai women went down to Thames Valley United 2-1 in a keenly contested final.

This is the first time that Valley United has won this trophy.