The Seeka KI Western Bay of Plenty championship final provided a fitting end to a competition that started in the balmy days of late March.

Top qualifier Mount Maunganui squared off against Matakana Island for the right to lift aloft the Combined Cup in triumph.

With the scoreline of one game apiece between the two championship contenders this season, the scene was set for a real battle to the end of the match.

A narrow 14-10 advantage to Matakana Island at the halftime break testified to a outstanding tight contest.

A penalty after just two minutes by Mount kicker Ben Lloyd narrowed the gap to just a solitary point, before Quinton Gardiner replied with a penalty for Matakana.

Mount Maunganui hit the lead when Shane Meys burst clear to scamper down the field to score his second try of the match under the posts.

The successful conversion gave the Mount a 23-17 lead.

A dropped goal and a further penalty to Quinton Gardiner tied the score up at 23 points apiece before Ben Lloyd regained the lead for the home side with his fourth penalty of the match.

Urged on by the vocal band of Matakana supporters and with the just a minute on the clock, Matakana crashed over for its fourth try and with the conversion sailing between the uprights the game was within Matakana's grasp.

As the referee's whistle signalled the end of an enthralling encounter, the Matakana team rose as one in delight at their first piece of Western Bay rugby in a decade after grabbing a 30-26 victory.

For the record, Matakana's points came from tries to Kent Murray, Teddy Murray, Quinton Gardiner and Jack Te Moana, with Quinton Gardiner adding 10 points with his boot.

Sam Meys crashed over for the two Mount touchdowns, with Ben Lloyd kicking four penalty goals and two conversions.

Tepu Houia was awarded the Matakana Island Player of the Day – while Mount number eight David Plane, who has been Mount second team stalwart since 2004, was adjusted their player of the day.

Eastern Districts could only rue its short tenure of the Hardy Rosebowl (Western BOP Challenge Trophy) after they surrendered a 15 point lead at the halfway stage of the game against Judea. Three well constructed tries to ED saw them lead Judea 15-0 at the break, before the home side forwards put their heads down and bulldozed five tries in the second half to take out the game 33-20.

Papamoa had to come from behind to edge out Greerton Marist 27-24, while Te Puke Sports was defeated by Katikati 69-12.