North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Takapuna falter in rugby final
It has now been seven seasons since Takapuna have won club rugby’s top prize.
Takapuna finished the North Harbour premier 1 club rugby round robin competition as the No 1 side, but could not prevent Massey from winning back-toback titles in Saturday’s final at QBE Stadium.
Massey’s sixth title since 1993 was won 26-23 in the final seconds of extra time.
Massey got off to a fast start scoring two converted tries before Takapuna got on the scoreboard with a try of their own. The halftime score was 17-10 to Massey.
Takapuna had the first opportunity to change the score line in the second half when Jon Elrick attempted to slot a penalty from 50 metres.
But the kick from the competition’s leading point scorer fell just short of the posts.
Massey extended the lead to 20-10, before Takapuna scored a converted try, a successful longrange penalty and another penalty to take the lead for the first time in the game.
Massey missed two close range penalties before levelling the score at 23-all on their third attempt. Takapuna missed two penalties before fulltime.
Massey’s Nico Ratumaitavuki sealed the win with a drop goal just before the end of extra time.
Takapuna has yet to beat Massey in a premier club final.
In the premier 1 plate final East Coast Bays beat Glenfield 17-11.
North Shore won the premier 2 championship with a 19-12 victory over Northcote. The premier two plate went to Silverdale after a 24-10 win over Takapuna.
Some of the region’s top players now turn their attention to representing North Harbour. Harbour head coach Steve Jackson says his squad was selected on club form.
‘‘There are always tough selection decisions, but to be honest these guys made it pretty easy on us – as they have trained hard away from the spotlight and performed consistently on the field at club level Saturday,’’ Jackson says.
Harbour plays the opening game of the new Mitre 10 Cup competition against Counties Manukau on August 18.
Massey 26 (Tries: R.Sagota 2; N.Tuigamala 2 pen 2 con; M.Vaega 1 pen, N.Ratumaitavuki 1 DG) Takapuna 23 (Tries: M. Brink; M. Duffie; J. Elrick 3 pen, 2 con) HT: 17-10. every