Auckland competitions - Grand Final results

Lion Red Fox Memorial:

An extra-time thriller has seen Manurewa come from behind and snatch victory from Papakura 28-20 at Mount Smart. The Sea Eagles crumbled to their third straight Fox Memorial finals defeat, whilst Manurewa sealed their third straight finals win in as many years. The match proved a nail biter following a full time draw where the scores were locked at 20 apiece. It was the Marlins who started the stronger of the two teams with lock forward Rusty Bristow creating much of the damage. The mobile back rower scored the first try of the match and set up the Marlins second, an 80 metre runaway to wing Graham Woodhouse. Halfback Aaron Woodhouse converted both tries. It was Papakura who strengthened in the second quarter with a heap of possession leading to tries to centre Solomone Foketi and lock forward Frosty Tikinau. With the score at 12-10 to the Marlins, Manurewa standoff Leslie Nicholson received a fantastic short ball on a second man play to offload to fullback Victor Field for their third try of the match and a 16-10 lead at the split. A number of errors in the early minutes of the second half cost Manurewa who conceded two tries to Sea Eagles halfback Henry Dunn and prop Manu Tawhi. Leading 20-16, Papakura looked the stronger of the two sides and seemed certain to win their third attempt at Fox Memorial glory. However, in the final ten minutes the Marlins held off a determined Papakura side, keen to finish the job, with some very brave defence. With just minutes on the clock, Manurewa broke the line through Losi Vaigafa who lobbed the ball over his head to Vince Fatu for a brilliant try in the corner. Woodhouse was unable to convert and the scores remained locked at 20-all with extra-time looming. In two five minute half