North Otago shrugged off any disappointment at not making the top section of the Heartland Championship with a comprehensive performance against the top qualifier on its home ground.
A voracious forward pack dominated possession, hitting the breakdowns with a ferocity not seen this season and denying the much-vaunted West Coast backline opportunities.
North Otago's performances this season were inconsistent but Saturday's effort had helped make amends, player-coach Mike Mullins said.
"We had to work for it.
There was no point in the game where we were clear," Mullins said.
"I'm very proud of the guys' efforts today. We knew what was lacking from the last time we were here and we just had to front up. Last time, we lacked ball retention but it was all there in the final.
"There was real heart up front today. Games are won or lost on how the forwards perform, and I also thought our discipline was great."
It was a second trophy in three years for North Otago under Mullins, following the 2007 Meads Cup win against Wanganui.
There was tremendous excitement and anticipation on Saturday as probably the biggest crowd for more than 20 years turned out at at a red-and-white swathed Rugby Park.
However, the Coast faithful were to go home disappointed.
North Otago lock Taua Limuloa dominated the line-outs with his superb ball skills and he received great support from Aisake Fonua, David Simpson and Ross Hay.
North Otago also had some great foragers, with No 8 Josh Collier supporting Hay, while front rowers Palenapa Mafi, Tavite Mafi, Mike Essex, and his replacement, gave better than they got.
This physical presence at the breakdown intimidated the West Coast pack, which conceded numerous penalties.
At one stage in the first half, two Coast players and one of North Otago's were sent to the sinbin.
West Coast was kept on the defensive apart from some isolated forays into Old Golds territory, which was protected by a relentless cover defence.
This was exemplified by Nick Webster and Tane Puki, who came on as replacements and made try-saving tackles in the last seven minutes.
Puki was unlucky not to score in the final quarter when he displayed talented footwork but fell at the final tackle after splitting the West Coast midfield.
West Coast would consider itself unlucky, as on three occasions it saw the television match official turn down appeals for tries.
"North Otago always had its nose in front," West Coast captain James Ferguson said.
"We were behind the eight ball, really, and we were always on the defensive.
"There were some decisions in both halves when we appeared to have scored but both were disallowed. But that's rugby and you've just got to move on.
"We hurt North Otago a fortnight ago and they came fired up today and they never really let us get into the game. Their recycling of the ball and their constant attack was just fantastic."
Midfielder Aaron Kimura set up the first North Otago try when he put Mullins through a gap and a perfect pass allowed fullback Peter Breen to score between the posts.
North Otago led 10-0 at the break but West Coast closed the gap soon after the break when left winger Maleli Tora outpaced the cover defence to score a fine try.
Six minutes from full-time, North Otago won a line-out inside the Coast 22m and, after five phases, Fonua galloped across for an unconverted try.
It was left to Jason Forrest to give North Otago the vital break after West Coast was penalised 32m out in front.
Forrest, who had been replaced at halfback by Webster in the second half but came on again when first five-eighth Dan Waenga left the field, kicked a wobbly but effective penalty to make the game safe.
- Terry O'Neill
