Midlands win action-packed Ack Soper Shield Final

Sunday, 14 July 2019

Saturday's win in the Ack Soper Shield at Wyndham was a day to remember for Midlands's vice-captain Conner McDermott, left, coach Dayna Cunningham, life member Blair Vining and captain Sam Brame.

Coaching Midlands to win the Ack Soper Shield gave Dayna Cunningham his finest moment in rugby.

'I've been in rugby 20 years and this is the best,' he said after Midlands beat Wyndham 20-18 in the second tier premier grade final at Wyndham on Saturday.

A conversion attempt by Wyndham late in the game hit the goal posts and sunk their hopes of levelling the scores and forcing extra time.

'Wyndham made it difficult for us but our set pieces, scrums and line-outs were really strong,' Cunningham said.

'The game could have gone either way at the end. I'm proud how the boys defended and fought for each other.'

* Southland rugby legend Ack Soper views new shield named after him

* Southland club rugby: Midlands add spice to comp**

Southland rugby legend Ack Soper joins the Midlands team for a group photo at Wyndham on Saturday.

Midlands captain Sam Brame said the team was virtually at full strength with 27 players available for selection for the final.

'We've been building momentum over the past few weeks, getting better and better - we've saved the best for last.'

Brame agreed with Cunningham that Midlands had good set pieces and defensive play.

'Everyone did their part,' Brame said.

On the sideline was one of the team's biggest supporters, Blair Vining, a life member of the Midlands Rugby Club and former premier grade player.

Vining has terminal cancer.

'It's an excellent result,' he said.

'[Seeing these guys win], I can die a happy man.'

On Friday night Vining won the People's Choice Award at the Southland Sports Awards in Invercargill.

'I've had an amazing weekend,'