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23 July, 2021
Takapuna goes down fighting in sodden Harbour premier rugby championship final
Takapuna went within centimetres of winning the North Harbour premier rugby championship last Saturday – held up by North Shore on the line as they pushed for a match-winning try.
The 12-11 win to Shore reflected the closeness and intensity of the high-quality match – expansive and largely error free – despite being played on a rain-soaked and slippery North Harbour stadium.
Takapuna was up 11-0 at halftime, however the score slightly flattered the blue and golds. Shore had most of the attacking opportunities but were kept out by stout Takapuna defence.
Against the run of play Takapuna’s Kade Banks scored an excellent try following a 60-metre break by Moses Leo. It was one of the few clean breaks in the game, such was the excellence of both teams’ defence.
As the weather deteriorated during the second half, the balance tipped Shore’s way as its committed and well-drilled pack started to take control. It went on to score two second-half tries, after long phases of rugged forward drives.
Takapuna would have loved to have had the services of powerful prop Karl Tu’inukuafe, who was unable to play as he was on stand-by duty for the All Blacks.
With two minutes to go and behind 12- 11, it looked like Shore could run down the clock. But a penalty and a precision line kick by Bryn Gatland give Takapuna the chance of a line drive from five metres out.
The Shore forwards muscled up and prevented Takapuna taking what would have been its 13th championship.
The result was particularly disappointing for long-serving lock and captain Shane Neville, who is contemplating retirement and hoped to go out on a championship win in his 141st game.
• The Takapuna premier 2 side lost 29-13 to Northcote in the senior reserves final.
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