Tasman have held off Wellington 31-14 to preserve their unbeaten season and capture their first Mitre 10 Cup premiership crown.
Two tries from flying wing Will Jordan helped seal the victory, with the clincher coming against the run of play with two minutes remaining in Nelson.
After winning 10 regular-season games and their semi-final against champions Auckland last week, the Mako had to withstand periods of intense pressure from Wellington, who dominated territory and possession during the opening 40 minutes, but trailled by nine points at halftime.
Both teams exchanged penalty attempts in the opening stages, with Mitch Hunt giving the home team an early advantage and counterpart Jackson Garden-Bachop struggling to find the posts.
Jordan had the first try after 15 minutes, as midfielder Alex Nankivell chased a kick-off and reclaimed possession for Tasman. When the ball came clear from the breakdown, Jordan simply had too much gas for the defence.
Moments later, Nankivell pursued another kick-off, pressuring the Lions into another mistake and captain David Havili was on the end of the backline to score.
Wellington prop Alex Fidow narrowed the deficit before the break, rumbling over from a ruck near the goal-line.
Hunt's fourth penalty put his team into a double-figure lead soon after the restart, but the Lions had chance after chance to close the gap, failing to take advantage on each occasion.
Twice, veteran Tasman prop Wyatt Crockett stole possession on his own goal-line to thwart the Wellington attack and somewhat fittingly, the clinching try came from another opportunity that went begging.
Replacement Pepesana Patafilo charged towards the goalposts, but his final pass to captain Du'Plessis Kirifi went astray and Nankivell gathered for Tasman.
He found a gap up the middle of the field and when confronted by the last line of defence, Jordan was there in support to sprint away.
Tasman 31 (Jordan 2 & Havili tries; Hunt two conversions & four penalties) Wellington 14 (Fidow try; Garden-Bachop three penalties)
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