Rangataua's imperious march through the Baywide women's club rugby season has reached its ultimate destiny, with the trophy safely tucked away in the Te Ariki Park cabinet – but they were forced to overcome a fearsome challenge from Rangiuru in Sunday's final to get it there.

It was only through a never-say-die try to winger Maia Carrington in the dying minutes of the hugely absorbing and closely-fought final that Rangataua were able to take it 22-21 and claim the title, after the visitors from the Kiwifruit Capital had made much of the running through match.

That was the approach they knew they had to bring to the decider against Rangataua – marginal favourites going into the game as they had taken the earlier round-robin matchup between them and had home advantage - and their faces at the final whistle betrayed how close they had come to success.

A strong start was key – and they duly got it through tries to props Baye Jacob and Braxton Walker, with Jimi-Leigh McLean adding the extras to both.

A deserved 14-0 halftime lead looked likely for Rangiuru, until the home side's rangy lock Sam Spence was able to get over and signal a change in momentum.

14-5 became 14-12 shortly after the break as Rangataua's powerful number 8 Kate Henwood broke a string of tackles to score under the bar, which Renee Holmes had no trouble converting.

Bree Meyer and Tracey Lemon are unable to prevent Braxton Walker getting over for Rangiuru's second try.

The Rangataua number 10 then missed a chance to capitalise on her side's resurgence and take the lead with a penalty but the job was done moments later anyway as Zaan Scott was able to finish a backline move down the left wing.

From 0-14 down last year's beaten finalists had reversed the scoreline to 17-14 and with 25 minutes remaining looked odds on to close it out.

Except that Rangiuru had other ideas. A game which had been littered with turnovers and dropped passes – unsurprising in such a tense final – moved up a level as the visitors saw their chance escaping them, and produced their best period of the match.

They deserved to get their noses back in front, and did so through dynamic flanker Tynealle Fitzgerald. Jimi-Leigh McLean added the conversion and took her side outside three-point range as the minutes ticked away.

Rangataua needed a try to win it, and it was testament to the mental strength which took them through the season unbeaten that it should finally come through Carrington's determined tackle-busting run in to the corner.

Bree Meyer and Tracey Lemon are unable to prevent Braxton Walker getting over for Rangiuru's second try.

Baywide women's final:

Rangataua 22 (Sam Spence, Kate Henwood, Zaan Scott, Maia Carrington tries; Renee Holmes con) – Rangiruru 21 (Baye Jacob, Braxton Walker, Tynealle Fitzgerald tries; Jimi-Leigh McLean 3 con) HT: 5-14

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