He said he hoped for third time lucky in this year’s final. Lock Micaiah Torrance-Read, who missed the semifinal with an Achilles problem, could be back for the final. COB coach Bryan Matenga said it was disappointing to miss out, but Varsity were clinical. He said they didn’t execute their game plan in a poor first half, but he was proud of his side falling just short. Varsity were slow to start and after conceding two early tries, one a 50-metre intercept by COB flanker Elyjah Crosswell, looked off the pace. But Varsity wing TamaToa Ropati scored an intercept try of his own before half-time to swing the match in Varsity’s favour, as they took a 13-12 lead into the break.